Clustering of primary afferent fibers in peripheral nerve fascicles by sensory modality.

The spatial organization of cutaneous afferent fibers in the cat saphenous nerve was studied by recording from functionally identified units in split filaments. It was found that within each fascicle, fibers tend to be clustered together with others of like modality; they are not randomly distributed. These results suggest that the sensory modality of primary afferent neurons is determined prior to their innervation of the skin.