This Article Order Full text via Infotrieve Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Schachenmayr, W. Articles by Friede, R. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Schachenmayr, W. Articles by Friede, R. L.

American Journal of Pathology, Vol 92, 53-68, Copyright © 1978 by American Society for Investigative Pathology

REGULAR ARTICLES

The origin of subdural neomembranes. I. Fine structure of the dura- arachnoid interface in man

W Schachenmayr and RL Friede

A method for the in situ fixation of human meninges for electron microscopic examination is described. It was found that the cranial meninges of humans do not include a subdural space. Instead there is a complex, tight layer of cells, the interface layer, composed in the innermost portion of the dura mater (the dural border cells) and the outermost portion of the arachnoid (the arachnoid barrier layer). The fusion of these components within the interface layer is much more intimate than is either the attachment of the dural border cells to the dura proper or that of the arachnoid barrier layer to the rest of the arachnoid. The fine structural characteristics of these layers are defined. The erroneous macroscopic impression of a subdural space results from an extraordinary lack of cohesion within the dura- arachnoid interface layer conditioned by a) a complete absence of a collagenous reinforcement within this zone, b) the presence of large extracellular cisterns between the dural border cells, and c) a paucity of intercellular contacts within that latter layer. An understanding of the fine structural organization of the interface layer is essential to any consideration of the pathogenesis of subdural lesions: these form within a sheet of torn dural border cells and not within a preexistent tissue compartment.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K Wester and C A Helland How often do chronic extra-cerebral haematomas occur in patients with intracranial arachnoid cysts? J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, January 1, 2008; 79(1): 72 - 75. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. A. Tung, M. Kumar, R. C. Richardson, C. Jenny, and W. D. Brown Comparison of Accidental and Nonaccidental Traumatic Head Injury in Children on Noncontrast Computed Tomography Pediatrics, August 1, 2006; 118(2): 626 - 633. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Reina, O. De Leon Casasola, A. Lopez, J. A. De Andres, M. Mora, and A. Fernandez The Origin of the Spinal Subdural Space: Ultrastructure Findings Anesth. Analg., April 1, 2002; 94(4): 991 - 995. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]