On the question of a subdural space

Area of Science:

• Neuroanatomy
• Histology

Background:

• The existence and nature of the "subdural" space between the dura mater and arachnoid mater have been debated.
• The dura mater comprises fibroblasts and collagen, with its inner layer consisting of dural border cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the architecture of the inner dura mater and arachnoid mater.
• To investigate the probable existence of a subdural space and its relation to subdural hematomas.

Main Methods:

• Histological review of the meninges, focusing on the dural border cell layer and arachnoid barrier cell layer.
• Analysis of existing literature on the morphology of subdural hematoma capsules.

Main Results:

• No anatomical space was identified between the dural border cell layer and the arachnoid barrier cell layer.
• The creation of a space in this region results from tissue damage, specifically the cleaving of the dural border cell layer.
• Subdural hematomas are frequently lesions within the dural border cell layer, not a true anatomical space.

Conclusions:

• The "subdural space" is not a potential space but an artifact of tissue damage.
• Subdural hematomas are lesions within the dural border cell layer.
• The morphology of subdural hematomas supports their location within this specific dural layer.