Axotomy
Axotomy (pronounced: ax-OT-omy, from Greek axios meaning "axis" and -tomy meaning "cutting") is a surgical procedure involving the cutting or severing of an axon, the long threadlike part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells.
Procedure
In an axotomy, the axon is severed from the neuron or nerve cell. This procedure is often performed in a laboratory setting for research purposes, particularly in the study of neuroregeneration, the ability of the nervous system to recover and regenerate after injury.
Effects
Following axotomy, the disconnected axon undergoes a process known as Wallerian degeneration, where the part of the axon separated from the neuron's cell body degenerates. This is often followed by axon regeneration, where the neuron attempts to regrow the axon and reestablish connections.
Related Terms
- Neuron: A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system.
- Axon: The long, threadlike part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells.
- Neuroregeneration: The regrowth or repair of nervous tissues, cells or cell products.
- Wallerian degeneration: A process that results when a nerve fiber is cut or crushed and the part of the axon distal to the injury degenerates.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Axotomy
- Wikipedia's article - Axotomy
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