The Nerve Impulse Seen from Outside
Dexter M. Easton July 2000 ©

Next topic     Previous topic     Table of Contents


Topic 22: Very slow impulses: "C" fibers

The nerve fibers of smallest diameter, and smallest AP, are the C fibers. They are often less than 0.5 µm in diameter, are difficult to excite, and have impulses traveling only tens of centimeters per second (see Easton 1974). To display the AP of very slow fibers, decrease the sweep speed of the CRO beam, increase the vertical gain, increase the stimulus duration, then increase the stimulus intensity until a deflection is seen late in the record. Why are these maneuvers necessary? Estimate the velocity of the C fibers of this nerve.

 
 
Figure 22. "C" fiber elevation.

 
 
Next topic     Previous topic     Table of Contents