Nervi vasorum

Nervi Vasorum are the autonomic nerve fibers that innervate the walls of the blood vessels. They are responsible for the regulation of vascular tone and blood flow in the body. The term "nervi vasorum" is derived from Latin, where "nervi" means nerves and "vasorum" refers to vessels.

Anatomy

The nervi vasorum are small nerve fibers that originate from the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. They are distributed along the blood vessels throughout the body, including the arteries, veins, and capillaries. The density of these nerves varies depending on the type and location of the vessel.

Function

The primary function of the nervi vasorum is to regulate the tone of the blood vessels. They do this by releasing neurotransmitters that cause the smooth muscle in the vessel walls to contract or relax. This in turn affects the diameter of the blood vessels, which can influence blood pressure and blood flow.

The nervi vasorum also play a role in the body's response to stress and injury. They can trigger vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels) in response to cold temperatures or emotional stress, and vasodilation (widening of the blood vessels) in response to physical activity or heat.

Clinical Significance

Dysfunction of the nervi vasorum can contribute to a variety of cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension (high blood pressure), atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and Raynaud's disease (a condition that affects blood flow to the fingers and toes).

Research is ongoing to better understand the role of the nervi vasorum in these conditions and to develop treatments that target these nerves.

See Also

• Sympathetic nervous system
• Parasympathetic nervous system
• Vasoconstriction
• Vasodilation
• Hypertension
• Atherosclerosis
• Raynaud's disease