Determination of the Distribution of Conduction Velocities in Human Nerve Trunks

A technique is described which enables the distribution of conduction velocities within the alpha fiber group of an in situ human peripheral nerve trunk to be determined. The technique is based on the analysis of the shape of compound nerve action potentials recorded from surface electrodes and is non-invasive. Velocity distributions calculated for a group of normal adults are presented and represent the first known measurements of this parameter.