The fine structure of psammoma bodies in meningocytic whorls

Toshihiko Kubota, Asao Hirano, Shinjiro Yamamoto, Kinichiro Kajikawa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Psammoma bodies within meningocytic whorls in five eases of meningioma were examined by electron microscopy. The cells comprising the meningocytic whorls showed the conventional ultrastructural features of meningothclial cells with interdigitations and interconnections by means of junctional complexes. In some whorls, collagen fibers, clastic fibers, microfibrils, as well as finely reticulated material were observed. Calcified foci of various sizes were seen within many of these whorls. Extracellular matrix vesicles, with or without hydroxyapatite crystals, were occasionally noted at the periphery of extracellular psammoma bodies in the whorl. Furthermore, many small aggregates of crystals were present adjacent and parallel to the collagen and elastic fibers in the meningocytic whorls. Substantial amounts of collagen fibers were also observed within the large psammoma bodies. These findings suggest that the matrix vesicles, presumably produced by the meningothclial cell, may serve as the initial nidi of calcification of psammoma bodies as originally suggested by Lipper ct al. Collagen fibers as well as elastic fibers in the whorls may also play an important role in orienting apatite crystal deposition during the growth of extracellular psammoma bodies and serve as early sites of calcification.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)37-44
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
Volume43
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1984

Keywords

  • Calcification
  • Electron microscopy
  • Matrix vesicle
  • Meningioma
  • Psammoma body
  • Whorl

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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