Figure 2 | Scientific Reports

Figure 2

From: Feasibility of in vivo multi-parametric quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of the healthy sciatic nerve with a unified signal readout protocol

Figure 2

Schematic illustration of the healthy sciatic nerve cross-sectional anatomy at the level of the upper thigh, highlighting the main biological correlates of all qMRI metrics obtained in this study. In the healthy sciatic nerve, the main biological compartments underlying the qMRI metrics are myelin, intra-axonal water (in both myelinated and unmyelinated axons) and extra-axonal space (endoneurium). However, metrics can also be influenced by surrounding tissue compartments (e.g., perineurium, lipid equivalent connective tissue). Note: Although qT1 is known to be sensitive to myelin, the overall macroscopic T1 is rather unspecific, and is likely to be influenced by almost all biological compartments shown (e.g., myelin, amount of intra- and extra-axonal water, as well as potential exchange between the two water populations). 

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