ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Central nervous system
;
Leptomeningeal tissue
;
Junctions
;
Blood-brain barrier
;
Electron microscopy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The leptomeningeal tissue of the choroid plexuses and of the brain surfaces have been studied by means of the freeze-etching technique. The pia-arachnoid membrane and the subdural neurothel represent the morphological barrier between the extracerebral tissue and the cerebrospinal compartment. The freeze-etch findings indicate that the arachnoid and neurothelial cells are coupled by extensive zonulae occludentes which seem to represent the structural basis of the barrier mechanism provided by these cell layers. Furthermore, it became evident that gap junctions of considerable structural heterogeneity occur on the pial and arachnoid cells of the interstitial choroidal compartment and of the free brain surfaces. The structural heterogeneity of the nexuses is taken as an indication of the plasticity of the leptomeningeal tissue. The different morphological characteristics of the nexal formations are discussed with respect to their probable functional meaning.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00223012
