Epithelial cells in a so-called intraspinal neurenteric cyst: a light and electron microscopic study

Abstract

A case of so-called intraspinal neurenteric cyst is described. A single epithelial cyst, associated with a dimple in the sacral region, was located ventral to the spinal cord in the lower cervical region. On light microscopy, a single epithelial layer lining the cyst wall contained a few ciliated cells and squamous cells, in addition to many goblet cells. An electron microscopic study also demonstrated three different kind of cells. The goblet cells contained many secretory granules, the ciliated cells had many cilia, and the squamous cells were characterized by abundant tonofilaments and desmosomes.