The subdural neurothelium of the cranial meninges in man

Abstract

The neurothelium obtained from human biopsy specimens is a very thin cellular layer located between the dura mater and the arachnoidea. It is a pluri-stratified squamous layer which has some epithelial features (desmosomes and tonofilaments), and lacks connective tissue fibers in the extracellular spaces. Usually there is increased nuclear and cytoplasmic density and enlarged extracellular spaces from the deepest to the most superficial layer. Since neurothelium is fragile and easily torn apart, it probably occupies the position considered to be the subdural space.