Denervation

Denervation is any loss of nerve supply to a tissue or organ, regardless of the cause. When the lost nerves belong to the neural communication that serves an organ system or a specific tissue function, the physiology of that part can be altered or compromised. Denervation can follow an injury, or it can be a symptom of a disorder such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, post-polio syndrome or neuropathic postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. It also has a deliberate side: intentional denervation is a valuable surgical technique for managing some medical conditions, for example renal denervation for uncontrolled hypertension. Pathological denervation, by contrast, is associated with serious health consequences, including greater susceptibility to infection and tissue dysfunction. This entry records how the term is used and is not medical advice.