A series of 100 human peroneal nerves proceeding from autopsies and amputations were studied by histologic and morphometric techniques with a qualitative and quantitative analysis of each being performed following the morphological criteria of Dick et al (1985). After evaluating the results the authors consider that the peripheral nerve proceeding from autopsies and amputations is useful for basic morphologic study providing it is adequately processed within the first 29 hours post-mortem and post-amputation. Previous studies demonstrating the existence of minimum morphological alterations in normal nerves is corroborated. In order to perform a correct morphological evaluation of the peripheral nerve a mere qualitative analysis is not sufficient but rather statistically evaluated quantitative parameters must be employed.