Are all neurons in a single nerve oriented in the same direction?

Question

Is it a one way street or is there more than one direction of traffic. Also, If I were to disect a nerve and stimulate the nerve electrically in a lab would I measure the same conduction velocity no matter which way I placed the nerve or would the conduction velocity be different if I reversed the direction I initially placed the nerve?

Answer 1

The flow of an impulse down a neuron is only one way ... so a nerve bundle would have to be oriented to receive a signal and send it down the pathway completely ... the neuron is designed in such where an impulse causes a Na/K Pump to initiate the movement of the signal across the axon. As Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K) ions move across the myelin-sheathed axon, there is an internal mechanism which prevents the signal from retrograde movement. This forces the impulse to move down the axon to the terminal points on the neuron.

Nerve conduction is dependent upon the individual neuron. However, you should read the same conduction velocity on a given nerve at various points, keeping in mind that the myelination is equal along the path (myelin assists in the speed of transmission, less myelin means slower movement). I do not believe that you can successfully send a signal up from the axon back into the nerve body, but I could be mistaken.

Answer 2

an..what?