In vitro and in vivo mechanical properties of human ulnar and median nerves.

Peripheral nerves are often subjected to mechanical stretching, which in excess results in various degrees of impairment of their function. An understanding of the biomechanical behavior of peripheral nerves is important to the prevention of nerve injury during surgical manipulation. Here, in vitro mechanical properties and viscoelastic behavior of human ulnar/median nerves were measured with a tensile tester.