Microanatomical study of arachnoid granulations and meningeal architecture around Meckel’s cave

Abstract

Although the microanatomy of Meckel’s cave (MC) has been well studied, there are still controversies regarding the meningeal architecture of the space. Moreover, there are only general mentions of the arachnoid granulations near MC in just a few sources. This study is aimed at determining the frequency, location, and anatomical variability of the main clusters of arachnoid granulations around MC. The dissection involved 26 isolated specimens of MC fixed in formalin (neutral buffered, 10%). This number included five freshly harvested specimens examined histologically. Additional paraffin block with MC horizontal section was taken from our neuroanatomical collection. Carefully selected anatomical and histological techniques were applied to assess the complex relationships between the arachnoid granulations and adjacent structures. Arachnoid granulations were found around MC in all specimens with different anatomical variations. The main clusters of arachnoid granulations were close to the trigeminal ganglion and its divisions. The dorsolateral wall of MC was a thick layer formed by interweaving bundles of collagen fibers arranged in various directions. The entire MC was surrounded by a dural sleeve (envelope). This sleeve separated MC from the lateral sellar compartment. At its anterior (rostral) end, it formed a cribriform area pierced by individual fascicles of the trigeminal nerve’s primary divisions. The connective tissue forming the sleeve was not only continuous with the epineurium but also shifted to the perineuria surrounding individual nerve fascicles. The meningeal architecture around MC has a complex and multilayer arrangement with a collagenous sleeve closely related to the trigeminal ganglion. Arachnoid granulations are typically found around MC.