Temporal and spatial constraints on the collateral sprouting of low‐threshold mechanosensory nerves in the skin of rats

We have studied the collateral sprouting of intact low-threshold mechanosensory nerves into adjacent denervated skin in rats. An "isolated" field was produced by extensive denervations of the surrounding skin; sprouting of the remaining cutaneous nerve supplying the field was looked for in the form of field expansion into the surrounding denervated territory at various postoperative intervals. Such isolated fields failed to expand in the adult …