ABSTRACT
The central and peripheral nervous systems differ to a remarkable extent in the make-up of their supporting tissue. The connective tissue matrix molecules are produced by nonneural cells: glial cells in the central nervous system; schwann cell, perineurial cell, and fibroblast in the peripheral nerve. The connective tissue matrix of the peripheral nerve is composed largely of collagen and is organized into three categories depending on the location. The presence of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in the central nervous system has been confirmed by histochemical and chemical studies. The proteoglycans of the brain, like those present in other tissues, are composed of multiple chains of GAG and glycoprotein covalently linked to a protein core. In spinal cord, the dura has only the inner meningeal layer. This layer is separated from the periosteum of the spinal vertebrae by an epidural space that contains loose connective tissue, adipose tissue, and venous plexus.
