ABSTRACT
The term “neural neoplasms” is somewhat deceptive because most common tumors of the peripheral nervous system consist not only of nerves, but also of a variety of other cellular elements such as Schwann cells and fibroblasts. An understanding of the basic structure of peripheral nerves will aid in understanding the classification of these tumors. Nerves are composed of bundles of both sensory and motor nerve fibers surrounded by connective tissue. Individual nerve fibers are enveloped by myelin produced by Schwann cells. The nerve fibers and Schwann cells are housed within connective tissue called endoneurium. Another layer of connective tissue called perineurium surrounds these packages of nerves, myelin, and endoneurium. Tumors of the peripheral nervous system may arise from any of the tissue types within a nerve bundle. The most common of these tumors are discussed below.
