Axotomy
Encyclopedia
An axotomy is the cutting or otherwise severing an axon
. Derived from axo- (=axon) and -tomy (=surgery). This type of denervation is often used in experimental studies on neuron
al physiology and neuronal death or survival as a method to better understand nervous system diseases
.
Axotomy may cause neuronal cell death, espeically in embryo
nic or neonatal animals, as this is the period in which neuron
s are dependent on their targets for the supply of survival factors. In mature animals, where survival factors are derived locally or via autocrine loops, axotomy of peripheral
neurons and motoneurons
can lead to a robust regenerative response without any neuronal death. In both cases, autophagy
is observed to markedly increase. Autophagy could either clear the way for neuronal degeneration or it could be a medium for cell destruction.
Axon
An axon is a long, slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body or soma....
. Derived from axo- (=axon) and -tomy (=surgery). This type of denervation is often used in experimental studies on neuron
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
al physiology and neuronal death or survival as a method to better understand nervous system diseases
ICD-10 Chapter VI: Diseases of the nervous system
- Inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system :* Bacterial meningitis, not elsewhere classified** Haemophilus meningitis** Pneumococcal meningitis** Streptococcal meningitis** Staphylococcal meningitis** Other bacterial meningitis...
.
Axotomy may cause neuronal cell death, espeically in embryo
Embryo
An embryo is a multicellular diploid eukaryote in its earliest stage of development, from the time of first cell division until birth, hatching, or germination...
nic or neonatal animals, as this is the period in which neuron
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
s are dependent on their targets for the supply of survival factors. In mature animals, where survival factors are derived locally or via autocrine loops, axotomy of peripheral
Peripheral
A peripheral is a device attached to a host computer, but not part of it, and is more or less dependent on the host. It expands the host's capabilities, but does not form part of the core computer architecture....
neurons and motoneurons
Motor neuron
In vertebrates, the term motor neuron classically applies to neurons located in the central nervous system that project their axons outside the CNS and directly or indirectly control muscles...
can lead to a robust regenerative response without any neuronal death. In both cases, autophagy
Autophagy
In cell biology, autophagy, or autophagocytosis, is a catabolic process involving the degradation of a cell's own components through the lysosomal machinery. It is a tightly regulated process that plays a normal part in cell growth, development, and homeostasis, helping to maintain a balance...
is observed to markedly increase. Autophagy could either clear the way for neuronal degeneration or it could be a medium for cell destruction.
See also
- Diffuse axonal injuryDiffuse axonal injuryDiffuse axonal injury is one of the most common and devastating types of traumatic brain injury, meaning that damage occurs over a more widespread area than in focal brain injury. DAI, which refers to extensive lesions in white matter tracts, is one of the major causes of unconsciousness and...
- NeurectomyNeurectomyNeurectomy is the surgical removal of a nerve or a section of a nerve. This procedure may be performed, for example, in cases of chronic pain where other treatments have failed. However the removal of the nerve can also cause negative effects, such as permanent numbness...
- NeurosurgeryNeurosurgeryNeurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spine, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system.-In the United States:In...
- Wallerian degenerationWallerian degenerationWallerian degeneration is a process that results when a nerve fiber is cut or crushed, in which the part of the axon separated from the neuron's cell body degenerates distal to the injury. This is also known as anterograde degeneration, or orthograde degeneration...