A 55-year-old woman has a dural-based, extra-axial mass that compresses the brain without invasion. Biopsy shows whorls of meningothelial cells with psammoma bodies and EMA positivity. The cell of origin is:

• A Astrocytes
• B Schwann cells
• C Oligodendrocytes
• D Arachnoidal cap (meningothelial) cells ✓

Explanation

Meningiomas arise from arachnoidal cap cells (meningothelial cells) of the arachnoid villi and are therefore dural-based and extra-axial. Key histological features include meningothelial whorls, psammoma bodies (dystrophic calcifications), and EMA (epithelial membrane antigen) positivity. Most are WHO grade 1 and benign; NF2 mutations are common. Schwannomas arise from Schwann cells and are S-100+.

Reference: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.