 The distal stump refers to the end of the injured neuron that is still attached to the end of the axon; it is the part of the neuron that will degenerate but that remains in the area toward which the regenerating axon grows.The study of peripheral nerve injury began during the American Civil War and has greatly expanded to the point of using growth-promoting molecules.Neurapraxia is the least severe form of nerve injury, with complete recovery.