ABSTRACT
The nerve is richly supplied by blood vessels that run longitudinally in the epineurium before penetrating the various layers to become the endoneurial capillaries. These fine vessels may be damaged by stretching or rough handling of the nerve; however, they can withstand extensive mobilization of the nerve, making it feasible to repair or replace damaged segments by operative transposition or neurotization. The tiny blood vessels have their own sympathetic nerve supply coming from the parent nerve, and stimulation of these fibres (causing intraneural vasoconstriction) may be important in conditions such as reflex sympathetic dystrophy and other unusual pain syndromes.
