epineurium

9.9

The outer layer of tissue that surrounds a nerve

noun
/ˌɛpɪˈnʊəriəm/

Specialized

: epineuro

The epineurium protects the nerve fibers by providing a tough outer layer.
epineurium and perineurium

Examples

Their capsule is continuous with the epineurium, the most external nerve sheath.

Academic text (2001)
The tumor originates from fatty infiltration of the nerve bundle infiltrating the epineurium and perineurium (12, 14).

Academic text (2015)
In a normal nerve, most of the collagen is produced by the fibroblasts in the epineurium.

Academic text (2015)
On further examination, the overgrown epineurium, perineurium, and endoneurium are disorganized; however, the surrounding tissue demonstrates no involvement or inflammation.

Academic text (2015)
Histopathological examination demonstrates fibrofatty infiltration of the epineurium, causing compression of the nerve fascicle and subsequent delayed neural atrophy.

Academic text (2015)
During the surgery, the doctor carefully examined the epineurium to ensure there was no damage.
The epineurium serves as the outer protective sheath of peripheral nerves, supporting their structure.

Surface Forms

epineurium singular

epineuria plural

Morphology

epineurium = neuron (opaque) = epi + neur + ium

The term is specialized and not easily derivable from its components without specific anatomical knowledge.

Etymology

Epineurium comes from the parts epi- 'on' and neuron 'nerve', like epidermis, where epi- means 'on' the skin. So epineurium is the outer layer 'on' a nerve that protects it.