NEW PERSPECTIVES IN THE MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURE OF HUMAN DURA-MATER IN THE DORSOLUMBAR REGION

Background and Objectives. The object of this study was to describe th e three-dimensional structure of the dura mater by use of scanning ele ctron microscopy. Methods. Microscopic dissection of the dura mater fr om four fresh cadavers (aged 70, 75, 76, and 80 years) 8-12 hours afte r death were investigated in three different planes (longitudinal, tan gential, and transverse). Results. The external surface of the dura ma ter, facing the epidural space, consisted of a network of randomly ori ented fine collagen fibers. The thicker elastic fibers (2 mu m in diam eter) were observed on the surface of the dura. In the inner part of t he dura mater, there were very fine lamellae of collagen fibers, which were bundled into thicker (4-5 mu m) layers. The dura mater consisted of 78-82 layers, each layer including 8-12 very fine lamellae. Conclu sions. The fibers of the dura mater do not run in a longitudinal direc tion and are not arranged in a parallel fashion. Cytoarchitecturally t he dura mater is a laminated structure built up from well-defined laye rs oriented concentrically around the medulla spinalis.