4.2. Sample Collection

Dura mater and arachnoid mater were collected from the right and left frontoparietal parts of the brain. The arachnoid matter was collected from the right and left hemisphere separately, while the dura mater was collected as a strand which was located over the right and left hemispheres near the border between the frontal and parietal lobes. We used ceramic scissors to make a parasagittal cut through the dura mater about 2 cm lateral to the midline. First, only cut the dura mater was cut, and the arachnoid mater remained intact. This cut should be lateral and parallel to the lateral edge of the superior sagittal sinus. We extended the cut to the frontal bone anteriorly and the transverse sinus posteriorly. Then we duplicated the parasagittal cut on the opposite side of the cadaver. The next step was the cutting lateral and parallel to the lateral edge of the superior sagittal sinus, and we duplicated the parasagittal cut on the opposite side of the cadaver. The result was a median strip of dura mater containing the superior sagittal sinus and four flaps of dura mater that are similar to the scalp flaps. The arachnoid mater loosely covers the brain and spans across the fissures and sulci. We used ceramic scissors to make a small cut through the arachnoid mater over the lateral surface of the brain. Then we elevated the arachnoid mater with the ceramic tool and collected the sample.