{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,23]],"date-time":"2026-01-23T20:23:41Z","timestamp":1769199821467,"version":"3.49.0"},"reference-count":50,"publisher":"ASME International","issue":"8","content-domain":{"domain":["asmedigitalcollection.asme.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2014,8,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Idiopathic onset of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVP) is caused by damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and results in difficulty speaking, breathing, and swallowing. This damage may occur in this nerve as it loops around the aortic arch, which is in a dynamic biomechanical environment. The goal of this study is to determine if the location-dependent biomechanical and microstructural properties of the RLN are different in piglets versus adolescent pigs. The neck\/distal and thoracic\/proximal (near the aortic arch) regions of the RLN from eight adolescent pigs and six piglets were isolated and mechanically assessed in uni-axial tension. Two-photon imaging (second harmonic) data were collected at 5%, 10%, and 15% strain during the mechanical test. The tangential modulus (TM) and the strain energy density (W) were determined at each level of strain. The mean mode of the preferred fiber angle and the full width at half maximum (FWHM, a measure of fiber splay) were calculated from the imaging data. We found significantly larger values of TM, W, and FWHM in the proximal segments of the left RLN when compared to the distal segments (18.51\u2009MPa\u2009\u00b1\u20091.22 versus 10.78\u2009MPa\u2009\u00b1\u20091.22, p\u2009&lt;\u20090.001 for TM, 0.046\u2009MPa\u2009\u00b1\u20090.01 versus 0.026\u2009MPa\u2009\u00b1\u20090.01, p\u2009&lt;\u20090.003 for W, 15.52\u2009deg\u2009\u00b1\u20091.00 versus 12.98\u2009deg\u2009\u00b1\u20091.00, p\u2009&lt;\u20090.001 for FWHM). TM and W were larger in the left segments than the right (15.32\u2009MPa\u2009\u00b1\u20091.20 versus 11.80\u2009MPa\u2009\u00b1\u20091.20, p\u2009&lt;\u20090.002 for TM, 0.038\u2009MPa\u2009\u00b1\u20090.01 versus 0.028\u2009MPa\u2009\u00b1\u20090.01, p\u2009&lt;\u20090.0001 for W). W was larger in piglets when compared to adolescent pigs (0.042\u2009MPa\u2009\u00b1\u20090.01 versus 0.025\u2009MPa\u2009\u00b1\u20090.01, p\u2009&lt;\u20090.04). The proximal region of the left porcine RLN is more stiff than the distal region and has a higher degree of fiber splay. The left RLN of the adolescent pigs also displayed a higher degree of strain stiffening than the right. These differences may develop as a result of the more dynamic environment the left RLN is in as it loops around the aortic arch.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1115\/1.4027682","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2014,5,14]],"date-time":"2014-05-14T16:32:28Z","timestamp":1400085148000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1115\/crossmarkpolicy-asme","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":12,"title":["Differences in the Microstructure and Biomechanical Properties of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve as a Function of Age and Location"],"prefix":"10.1115","volume":"136","author":[{"given":"Megan J.","family":"Williams","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate Interdisciplinary Program of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, 1130 North Mountain Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85721 e-mail:"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Urs","family":"Utzinger","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedical Engineering; Graduate Interdisciplinary Program of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721"},{"name":"BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Thomas W. Keating Bioresearch Building, #131D, P.O. 210240, Tucson, AZ 85721 e-mail:"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Julie M.","family":"Barkmeier-Kraemer","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Voice and Swallowing Center, The University of California\u2014Davis, 2521 Stockton Blvd Suite 6200, Sacramento, CA 95817 e-mail:"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Jonathan P.","family":"Vande Geest","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Associate Professor Mem. ASME Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering; Department of Biomedical Engineering; Graduate Interdisciplinary Program of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721"},{"name":"BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 e-mail:"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"33","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2014,6,5]]},"reference":[{"issue":"4","key":"2019100601470129700_B1","first-page":"184","article-title":"Prevalence of Aspiration and Laryngeal Penetration in Patients With Unilateral Vocal Fold Motion Impairment","volume":"15","year":"2007","journal-title":"Dysphagia"},{"issue":"10","key":"2019100601470129700_B2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1455","DOI":"10.1288\/00005537-197010000-00001","article-title":"The Paralyzed Larynx: An Electromyographic Study in Dogs and Humans","volume":"80","year":"1970","journal-title":"Laryngoscope"},{"issue":"4","key":"2019100601470129700_B3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"337","DOI":"10.1007\/BF00690698","article-title":"The Pathology of Equine Laryngeal Hemiplegia","volume":"27","year":"1974","journal-title":"Acta Neuropathol."},{"issue":"5","key":"2019100601470129700_B4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"503","DOI":"10.1288\/00005537-199005000-00012","article-title":"Vocal Cord Paralysis Resulting From Neck Injections in the Intravenous Drug Use Population","volume":"100","year":"1990","journal-title":"Laryngoscope"},{"issue":"11","key":"2019100601470129700_B5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1174","DOI":"10.1288\/00005537-199011000-00008","article-title":"Vocal Cord Paralysis in Children","volume":"100","year":"1990","journal-title":"Laryngoscope"},{"issue":"6 Pt 1","key":"2019100601470129700_B6","first-page":"558","article-title":"Observations on So-Called Idiopathic Vocal Cord Paralysis","volume":"91","year":"1982","journal-title":"Ann. Otol., Rhinol., Laryngol."},{"issue":"2","key":"2019100601470129700_B7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"97","DOI":"10.1097\/BRS.0b013e31821f3e86","article-title":"Clinically Relevant Anatomy of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve","volume":"37","year":"2012","journal-title":"Spine"},{"issue":"4","key":"2019100601470129700_B8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"592","DOI":"10.1016\/S0892-1997(99)80013-7","article-title":"Etiology, Pathophysiology, Treatment Choices, and Voice Results for Unilateral Adductor Vocal Fold Paralysis: A 3-Year Retrospective","volume":"13","year":"1999","journal-title":"J. Voice"},{"issue":"7 Pt 1","key":"2019100601470129700_B9","first-page":"699","article-title":"An Experimental Study on the Laryngeal Electromyography and Visual Observations in Varying Types of Surgical Injuries to the Unilateral Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve in the Neck","volume":"101","year":"1991","journal-title":"Laryngoscope"},{"issue":"4","key":"2019100601470129700_B10","first-page":"237","article-title":"Histopathology of Vocal Cord Palsy From Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Damage","volume":"19","year":"1990","journal-title":"J. Otolaryngol."},{"issue":"1","key":"2019100601470129700_B11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"42","DOI":"10.1007\/BF02042688","article-title":"Vocal Cord Paralysis Following Carotid Endarterectomy: The Paradox of Return of Function","volume":"4","year":"1990","journal-title":"Ann. Vasc. Surg."},{"issue":"2","key":"2019100601470129700_B12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"140","DOI":"10.1177\/019459989010200207","article-title":"Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Paralysis Associated With Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm","volume":"102","year":"1990","journal-title":"Otolaryngol., Head Neck Surg."},{"issue":"2","key":"2019100601470129700_B13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"487","DOI":"10.1177\/000348945506400218","article-title":"Unilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis","volume":"64","year":"1955","journal-title":"Ann. Otol., Rhinol., Laryngol."},{"key":"2019100601470129700_B14","unstructured":"Huppler, E. G., Schmidt, H. W., Devine, D., and Gage, R. P., 1955, \u201cCauses of Vocal-Cord Paralysis,\u201d Proc. Staff Meet. Mayo Clin., 30(22), pp. 518\u2013521."},{"issue":"7","key":"2019100601470129700_B15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1303","DOI":"10.1097\/MLG.0b013e31816f27ee","article-title":"The Natural History of Idiopathic Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: Evidence and Problems","volume":"118","year":"2008","journal-title":"Laryngoscope"},{"issue":"3","key":"2019100601470129700_B16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"293","DOI":"10.1007\/s00268-005-7959-x","article-title":"Vocal Fold Paralysis as a Sign of Chest Diseases: A 15-Year Retrospective Study","volume":"30","year":"2006","journal-title":"World J. Surg."},{"issue":"5","key":"2019100601470129700_B17","first-page":"481","article-title":"An Uncommon Cause for Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralisis: Aortic Aneurysms. Case Report and Literature Review","volume":"33","year":"2006","journal-title":"Otorrinolaringol. Ibero. Am."},{"issue":"1","key":"2019100601470129700_B18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"75","DOI":"10.1177\/153857440604000111","article-title":"Ortner's Syndrome and Endoluminal Treatment of a Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: A Case Report","volume":"40","year":"2006","journal-title":"Vasc. Endovasc. Surg."},{"issue":"6","key":"2019100601470129700_B19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"418","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1445-5994.2007.01341.x","article-title":"Ortner's Syndrome or Cardiovocal Hoarseness","volume":"37","year":"2007","journal-title":"Int. Med. J."},{"issue":"1","key":"2019100601470129700_B20","first-page":"1","article-title":"Intraneural Microcirculation","volume":"19","year":"1998","journal-title":"Orthop. Clin. North Am."},{"key":"2019100601470129700_B21","first-page":"494","volume-title":"The Fine Structure of the Nervous System: Neurons and Their Supporting Cells","year":"1991","edition":"3rd ed."},{"issue":"4","key":"2019100601470129700_B22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"841","DOI":"10.1093\/brain\/88.4.841","article-title":"The Connective Tissues of Peripheral Nerves","volume":"88","year":"1965","journal-title":"Brain"},{"key":"2019100601470129700_B23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"38","DOI":"10.1093\/neurosurgery\/17.CN_suppl_1.38","article-title":"Anatomical Features of Nerve Trunks in Relation to Nerve Injury and Nerve Repair","volume":"17","year":"1970","journal-title":"Clin. Neurosurg."},{"key":"2019100601470129700_B24","first-page":"1046","volume-title":"Nerves and Nerve Injuries","year":"1978","edition":"2nd ed."},{"issue":"9","key":"2019100601470129700_B25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"771","DOI":"10.1002\/mus.880130903","article-title":"The Anatomy and Physiology of Nerve Injury","volume":"13","year":"1990","journal-title":"Muscle Nerve"},{"key":"2019100601470129700_B26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"125","DOI":"10.1093\/brain\/84.1.125","article-title":"Stress-Strain Phenomena in Denervated Peripheral Nerve Trunks","volume":"84","year":"1961","journal-title":"Brain"},{"key":"2019100601470129700_B27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102","DOI":"10.1093\/brain\/84.1.102","article-title":"Stress-Strain Phenomena in Human Peripheral Nerve Truanks","volume":"84","year":"1961","journal-title":"Brain"},{"key":"2019100601470129700_B28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"120","DOI":"10.1093\/brain\/84.1.120","article-title":"Stress-Strain Phenomena in Human Spinal Nerve Roots","volume":"84","year":"1961","journal-title":"Brain"},{"key":"2019100601470129700_B29","first-page":"35","article-title":"The Connective Tissue of Peripheral Nerve: An Electron Microscope Study","volume":"97","year":"1963","journal-title":"J. Anat."},{"issue":"1","key":"2019100601470129700_B30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"175","DOI":"10.1007\/BF00297503","article-title":"Three-Dimensional Organization of the Collagen Fibrils in the Rat Sciatic Nerve as Revealed by Transmission- and Scanning Electron Microscopy","volume":"260","year":"1990","journal-title":"Cell Tissue Res."},{"issue":"2","key":"2019100601470129700_B31","first-page":"354","article-title":"Stretch Injury of Peripheral Nerve. Acute Effects of Stretching on Rabbit Nerve","volume":"52","year":"1970","journal-title":"J. Bone Jt. Surg. Br."},{"issue":"5","key":"2019100601470129700_B32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"694","DOI":"10.1002\/jor.1100080511","article-title":"An in Vitro Mechanical and Histological Study of Acute Stretching on Rabbit Tibial Nerve","volume":"8","year":"1990","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Res."},{"key":"2019100601470129700_B33","first-page":"203","article-title":"Nerve and Nerve Root Biomechanics","volume":"3","year":"2011","journal-title":"Neural Tissue Biomech."},{"key":"2019100601470129700_B34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"428","DOI":"10.1093\/brain\/72.3.428","article-title":"The Cross-Sectional Area of Peripheral Nerve Trunks Devoted to Nerve Fibres","volume":"72","year":"1949","journal-title":"Brain"},{"issue":"6","key":"2019100601470129700_B35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"625","DOI":"10.1111\/joa.12046","article-title":"Developmental Changes in the Connective Tissues of the Porcine Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve","volume":"222","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Anat."},{"issue":"8","key":"2019100601470129700_B36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2553","DOI":"10.1007\/s10439-010-0013-7","article-title":"Biomechanical Properties of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve in the Piglet","volume":"38","year":"2010","journal-title":"Ann. Biomed. Eng."},{"key":"2019100601470129700_B37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"118","DOI":"10.1093\/brain\/68.2.118","article-title":"The Adipose Tissue of Peripheral Nerves","volume":"68","year":"1945","journal-title":"Brain"},{"issue":"4","key":"2019100601470129700_B38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"491","DOI":"10.1093\/brain\/74.4.491","article-title":"A Classification of Peripheral Nerve Injuries Producing Loss of Function","volume":"74","year":"1951","journal-title":"Brain"},{"key":"2019100601470129700_B39","first-page":"129","article-title":"Confocal and Two-Photon Microscopy","volume":"86","year":"2003","journal-title":"Methods Mol. Med."},{"issue":"5","key":"2019100601470129700_B40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"054021","DOI":"10.1117\/1.2360516","article-title":"In Vitro Model for Endogenous Optical Signatures of Collagen","volume":"11","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Biomed. Opt."},{"issue":"4","key":"2019100601470129700_B41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"475","DOI":"10.1016\/S0021-9290(99)00201-8","article-title":"Toward a Biomechanical Tool to Evaluate Rupture Potential of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Identification of a Finite Strain Constitutive Model and Evaluation of Its Applicability","volume":"33","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Biomech."},{"issue":"2","key":"2019100601470129700_B42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"133","DOI":"10.1016\/S0022-4804(03)00255-5","article-title":"Mechanical Properties of Acellular Peripheral Nerve","volume":"114","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Surg. Res."},{"issue":"9","key":"2019100601470129700_B43","first-page":"2718","article-title":"In Vitro and in Vivo Mechanical Properties of Human Ulnar and Median Nerves","volume":"101","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Biomed. Mater. Res. A"},{"issue":"314","key":"2019100601470129700_B44","first-page":"76","article-title":"Mechanical Properties of Peripheral Nerves","volume":"1995","year":"1995","journal-title":"Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res."},{"issue":"Pt 3","key":"2019100601470129700_B45","first-page":"879","article-title":"Peripheral Nerves in the Rat Exhibit Localized Heterogeneity of Tensile Properties During Limb Movement","volume":"557","year":"2004","journal-title":"J. Physiol."},{"issue":"5","key":"2019100601470129700_B46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"787","DOI":"10.1007\/s10916-010-9468-1","article-title":"Functional and Mechanical Evaluation of Nerve Stretch Injury","volume":"35","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Med. Syst."},{"issue":"1","key":"2019100601470129700_B47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"92","DOI":"10.1093\/ptj\/86.1.92","article-title":"Structure and Biomechanics of Peripheral Nerves: Nerve Responses to Physical Stresses and Implications for Physical Therapist Practice","volume":"86","year":"2006","journal-title":"Phys. Ther."},{"issue":"5","key":"2019100601470129700_B48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"859","DOI":"10.1016\/S0363-5023(10)80149-2","article-title":"Stress Relaxation of a Peripheral Nerve","volume":"16","year":"1991","journal-title":"J. Hand Surg. Am."},{"issue":"1","key":"2019100601470129700_B49","first-page":"126","article-title":"Experimental Stretch Neuropathy. Changes in Nerve Conduction Under Tension","volume":"74","year":"1992","journal-title":"J. Bone Jt. Surg. Br."},{"key":"2019100601470129700_B50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"529","DOI":"10.1016\/j.thorsurg.2006.12.009","article-title":"Anatomy of the Neck and Cervicothoracic Junction","volume":"17","year":"2007","journal-title":"Thoracic Surg. Clin."}],"container-title":["Journal of Biomechanical Engineering"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"http:\/\/asmedigitalcollection.asme.org\/biomechanical\/article-pdf\/doi\/10.1115\/1.4027682\/6091079\/bio_136_08_081008.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"http:\/\/asmedigitalcollection.asme.org\/biomechanical\/article-pdf\/doi\/10.1115\/1.4027682\/6091079\/bio_136_08_081008.pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2024,5,26]],"date-time":"2024-05-26T17:31:49Z","timestamp":1716744709000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/asmedigitalcollection.asme.org\/biomechanical\/article\/doi\/10.1115\/1.4027682\/440239\/Differences-in-the-Microstructure-and"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2014,6,5]]},"references-count":50,"journal-issue":{"issue":"8","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2014,8,1]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1115\/1.4027682","relation":{},"ISSN":["0148-0731","1528-8951"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0148-0731","type":"print"},{"value":"1528-8951","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2014,6,5]]},"article-number":"081008"}}