Innervation of spinal dura mater and dura mater of the posterior cranial fossa

SINCE THE STUDIES of Arnold1 and von Luschka,2 differences of opinion have existed concerning the origin of the nerves distributed within the dura mater lining the floor of the posterior cranial fossa and whether the spinal dura mater receives a nerve supply. Even the most recent reports on the nerve supply of the spinal dura mater are not in agreement. There is no question as to the presence of nerves in the dura mater of the posterior cranial fossa; the controversy here concerns the origin of the nerves distributed to this region. These nerves have been described as meningeal rami of the vagus, glossopharyngeal, hypoglossal, spinal accessory, facial, and abducens nerves. Recent clinical studies indicate, however, that the nerves in the dura of the posterior fossa are derived from the upper cervical spinal nerves. In an attempt to resolve some of the controversies that exist in this area, we have studied the innervation of the meninges and blood vessels of the central nervous system in the human fetus. In this report, we present the results of our investigation which relate to the innervation of the spinal dura and the dura lining the posterior cranial fossa.