Regeneration of Nerves. 



249 



instantly when continuity is interrupted (provided there are no col- 

 lateral paths). The space intervening- between the central and periph- 

 eral portions is filled at first with fibroplastic cicatricial tissue ; 

 but later a complete regeneration of the nerve fibres is accomplished 

 and in the course of two or more months the nervous function is 

 fully reestablished. This later development of the nerve fibres, as 



Fig. 45. 



Degenpi-ation of nerve fibres after sec- 

 tion. I. normal nerve fibre. II and III. 

 different degrees of destruction. S. 

 nein-filemma slieatli of Scliwann. ///, 

 medullary slieatb. A, axis cylinder. 7.-, 

 nucleus of neurolemma. L. Lanter- 

 mann's constriction of the medullary 

 sheath, int. myelin gloliules. «. remains 

 of axi.s cylinder, w, proliferating cells 

 of neurolemma. Partly schematic. X 476. 

 (After Thoma.) 



§ |i 



Fig. 4G. 



Growths of the axis cylinder in the 

 central stump of a divided nerve. aS'. 

 neurolemma sheath of Schwann, m, 

 medullary sheath. A, axis cylinder of 

 undegenerated part of the nerve. A'. 

 newly formed axis cylinder, fc, nucleus 

 of neurolemma. ir, ic, proliferated 

 neurolemma cells, mt, myelin globules. 

 Scliruiatic, based on an illustration from 

 Eichhorst. X 470. (After Thoma.) 



indicated b\- the microscopic findings, which are demonstrable with 

 much difficulty, may be explained in two ways. The majority of 

 investigators adhere to the views advanced by Waller and Strobe, 

 according to whicl;i regeneration is the result of a growth of the 

 axis cylinders of the central stump, these advancing into the young 

 cicatricial mass and growing beyond it, the delicate fibres of the 



