Skip to main content
Log in

The ultrastructure of the primate arachnoid granulation, studied with the scanning and transmission electron microscopes

  • Published:
Medical Electron Microscopy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The ultrastructures of the primate arachnoid granulations were observed using the scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopes. The endothelial cells were slender and overlapped each other. Extracellular spaces which were composed of a network of arachnoid cell processes crisscrossing each other three-dimensionally, were observed under the endothelium. By treating with NaOH (20°C), the collagenous fibers in the specimen were exposed under the SEM. The arachnoid granulations were entirely covered with the fibrous capsule, which was composed of wavy collagenous fibers. Many pores (1–2 μm) were observed on the fibrous capsule. These morphological structures may be closely related to the mechanism for cerebrospinal fluid absorption.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kido, D.K. andGometz, D.G.: Human spinal arachnoid villi and granulations.Neuroradiology,11, 221–228 (1976).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Welsh, K. andPollay, M.: The spinal arachnoid villi of the monkeys.Anat. Rec. 145, 43–48 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Tripathi, R.: Tracing the bulk outflow route of cerebrospinal fluid by transmission and scanning electron microscopy.Brain Res. 80, 503–506 (1974).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Tripathi, R.: Ultrastructure of the arachnoid matter in relation to outflow of cerebrospinal fluid—a new concept.Lancet,2, 8–11 (1973).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Levine, J.E.: The morphological correlates of primates cerebrospinal fluid absorption.Brain Res. 241, 31–41 (1982).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Alksne, J.F. andLovings, E.T.: Functional ultrastructure of the arachnoid villi.Arch. Neurol. 27, 371–377 (1972).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Gometz, D.G., Potts, G. andReilly, K.F.: Effects of pressure gradients changes on the morphology of arachnoid villi and granulations of the monkey.Lab. Invest. 28, 648–657 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Yamashima, T.: Functional ultrastructure of cerebrospinal fluid drainage channels in human arachnoid villi.J. Neurosurg. 22, 633–641 (1988).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Upton, M.L., Weller, R.O. andPath, F.R.C.: The morphology of cerebro-spinal fluid drainage pathways in human arachnoid granulations.J. Neurosurg. 63, 867–875 (1985).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Kida, S. andYamashima, T.: A light and electron microscopic and immunohistochemical study of human arachnoid villi.J. Neurosurg. 69, 429–435 (1988).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Andres, K.H.: Zur Feinstruktur der arachnoidal Zotten bei Mammalia.Z. Zelforsch. 82, 92–109 (1967).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Avella, D., Ciciarello, R.C., Aibiero, B.S. andAndrioli, G.: Scanning electron microscope study of human arachnoid villi.J. Neurosurg. 59, 620–626 (1983).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. During, M.V. andAndres, K.H.: Sensory nerve terminals in the arachnoid granulations of non-human primates.Neurosci. Lett. 127, 121–124 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Leeds, S.E., Kong, B.L. andWise, B.L.: Alternative pathways for drainage of cerebrospinal fluid in the canine brain.Lymphology,22, 144–146 (1989).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Weed, L.H.: The absorption of cerebrospinal fluid into the venous system.Am. J. Anat. 31, 191–221 (1923).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Yamashima, T.: Ultrastructural study of the final cerebrospinal fluid pathway in human arachnoid villi.Brain Res. 384, 68–76 (1986).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Yamashima, T., Kida, S. andYamamoto, M.: Ultrastructural comparison of arachnoid villi and meningiomas in man.Mod. Pathol. 1, 224–234 (1988).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Katsume, Y. andYoshizuka, M.: The developmental and aging process of Schlemm's canal.Kurume Med. J. 26, 175–184 (1979).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Ohtani, O.: Three-dimensional organization of the connective tissue fibers of the human pancreas: a scanning electron microscopic study of NaOH treated-tissues.Arch. Histol. Jpn. 50, 557–566 (1987).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Ohtani, O., Ushiki, T., Taguchi, T. andKikuta, A.: Collagen fibrillar networks as skeletal frameworks: a demonstration by cell-maceration/scanning electron microscope method.Arch. Histol. Cytol. 51, 249–261 (1988).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Takahashi, Y., Inokuchi, T. & Shigemori, M. The ultrastructure of the primate arachnoid granulation, studied with the scanning and transmission electron microscopes. Med Electron Microsc 26, 169–175 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02347996

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02347996

Key words

Navigation