MICROSURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE SUPRATENTORIAL ARACHNOIDAL TRABECULAR MEMBRANES AND CISTERNS

We examined the microsurgical anatomy of the supratentorial subarachno id cisterns with a surgical microscope in 20 brains prepared using the immersion technique. The adult brains were immersed in Ringer's solut ion and air was injected into the subarachnoid cisterns while the brai ns remained submerged in solution. We identified nine trabecular membr anes that limit the 15 cisterns. We specifically looked at the anatomi cal relationship between the supratentorial trabecular membranes and c isterns to their corresponding vessels and cranial nerves. The cistern divisions and the dispositions of trabecular membranes were closely r elated to the vascular division patterns of the principal brain arteri es. A clear and thorough understanding of the neuroanatomical structur es of the subarachnoid cisterns is important because they provide natu ral pathways to neurovascular and cranial nerve structures. These path ways allow access to intracranial arteries, veins, and nerves during m icrovascular procedures without disturbing surrounding important brain structures.