Variability of histological features and thickness of the dura mater in adults related to sex and age

Abstract

Aim – to conduct a comparative analysis of the structure and thickness of the dura mater between men and women in the first period of adulthood and in old age. Material and methods. We analysed the results of the complex morphological study of the dura mater in 91 deceased (49 male and 42 female) aged of 22 to 32 and 75 to 88 years. The deceased were divided into two groups according to their age. Group I included 49 cases of the first period of adulthood: 26 men and 23 women who died at the age of 22 to 32. Group II consisted of 42 cases of senile age: 23 men and 19 women who died at the age of 75 to 88. The autopsy material was collected around the parietal bones, in the projection of the sagittal suture. Results. The dura mater was represented by dense unformed connective tissue. The collagen fibers in the first period of adulthood are compactly organized, have a clear direction and structure. In the old age there is a pronounced disorder of the fibers. The walls of blood vessels in senile patients are usually thickened. The dura mater thickens with age by 29.2% in men and by 28.2% in women.

Keywords

• dura mater
• aging
• collagen fibers
• connective tissue
• morphometry