A quantitative comparison of dura mater tissue structures measured with atomic force microscopy.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The growth of a human embryo is a very sophisticated process. Understanding the way it proceeds is a key factor in pathology preventing and treating diseases. Therefore one needs to use advanced to tools and methods to investigate various aspects of the anatomy and physiology of humans during the first months of growth. OBJECTIVES: This work is focused on the structure of dura mater tissue, one of the membranes protecting the brain, which can be responsible for a number of health issues if it develops abnormally. The aim of the work was to observe dura mater tissue structure with atomic force microscopy and to provide a quantitative method of discrimination of both the periosteal and meningeal layers in a 6-month-old human embryo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The measurements were performed with atomic force microscopy, in air, using tapping mode. The sample was stored in formaldehyde and dried prior to the measurements. RESULTS: The results obtained permitted observation of the structure of the tissue, in particular the presence of collagen fibers. By applying various image analysis tools, quantitative descriptions of both layers were created in order to distinguish them. CONCLUSIONS: The experiment proved that atomic force microscopy can be a useful tool in the investigation of the development process of the dura mater tissue in terms of the appearance of differences related to various functions of the periosteal and meningeal layers.