Which option correctly identifies a feature of neurapraxia?

Which option correctly identifies a feature of neurapraxia?

• A. Axonotmesis
• B. Neurotmesis
• C. Demyelinating neuropathy with axon loss
• D. Neurapraxia

Answer: (D)

Neurapraxia is a mild nerve injury where the axon remains intact but the myelin sheath is locally disrupted, causing a conduction block. Because the axon is preserved, there is no Wallerian degeneration and recovery happens as the myelin is remyelinated, typically within days to weeks. This contrasts with more severe injuries where the axon is damaged (axonotmesis) or the nerve is completely disrupted (neurotmesis). A demyelinating process with axonal loss would not fit neurapraxia, since axonal continuity is required for neurapraxia to occur. The feature described here—that conduction block arises from demyelination without axonal loss and with full recovery—constitutes the hallmark of neurapraxia.

Neurapraxia is a mild nerve injury where the axon remains intact but the myelin sheath is locally disrupted, causing a conduction block. Because the axon is preserved, there is no Wallerian degeneration and recovery happens as the myelin is remyelinated, typically within days to weeks. This contrasts with more severe injuries where the axon is damaged (axonotmesis) or the nerve is completely disrupted (neurotmesis). A demyelinating process with axonal loss would not fit neurapraxia, since axonal continuity is required for neurapraxia to occur. The feature described here—that conduction block arises from demyelination without axonal loss and with full recovery—constitutes the hallmark of neurapraxia.