The filum terminale externum.
OBJECTIVE
The filum terminale externum (FTE) is the extradural component of the filum terminale internum and little attention has been dedicated to this structure in the literature. The authors theorized that the rare intrasacral ependymomas may originate from ependymal cell collections within the FTE.


METHODS
To address this hypothesis, the FTE was dissected and analyzed histologically in 15 adult cadavers. None of the specimens was found to harbor ependymal or other glial cell collections.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors found previously undescribed smooth-muscle cells within the FTE. Furthermore, histological analysis identified adipose, nerve, bone, and cartilage cells.
Tubbs
R Shane
RS
Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA. rstubbs@uab.edu
Murphy
Randall Lee
RL
Kelly
David R
DR
Lott
Robert
R
Salter
E George
EG
Oakes
W Jerry
WJ
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology