Arachnoid Mater and Pia Mater

Question 1

The subaracnoid space continues (inferiorly or superiorly) down the spinal cord?

Answer 1

Inferiorly

Question 2

Where does the subarachnoid space end?

Answer 2

Vertebra S2

Question 3

Which space marks the endpoint of the spinal cord?

Answer 3

vertebrae L1/L2 and vertebra S2

Question 4

What is the space after the ending of the spinal cord called? And what does it contain?

Answer 4

Lumbar cistern and contains the roots of the spinal nerves and CSF

Question 5

What are the small projections of the arachnoid mater that extend through dura mater? What is their function?

Answer 5

arachnoid granulations (villi). They drain the CSF into the dural sinuses to aid in venous circulation

Question 6

What 2 structures is the pia mater in touch with?

Answer 6

surface of brain and spinal cord

Question 7

What is the function of the pia mater?

Answer 7

carries the blood vessels to the depth of the nervous tissue of the CNS

Question 8

What are the ligaments called that are extensions of pia mater to anchor the spinal cord to the deep surface of the arachnoid and dura mater?

Answer 8

Denticulate ligaments

Question 9

What does the filum terminale do? And where is it?

Answer 9

Anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx.

Pia mater extension from Conus medullaris –> arachnoid and dura

Question 10

Why is the epidural space of the spinal cord different from the epidural space of the brain?

Answer 10

It is filled with fat for additional protection and is always present, not just in pathology.

Question 11

What is different between the dura mater in the spinal cord vs. the brain?

Answer 11

In the spinal cord there is only 1 layer. The meningeal layer. Thickest.

Question 12

True or false. The subdural space in spinal cord is only present in pathology.

Answer 12

True. Same as the brain

Question 13

Which space in the spinal cord do we find CSF?

Answer 13

Subarachnoid space

Question 14

What is the pia mater of the SC tightly adhered to?

Answer 14

Neural tissue

Question 15

What makes up the dural sac/sleeve?

Answer 15

Dura mater and arachnoid mater

Question 16

Where does the dural sac begin and end?

Answer 16

foramen magnum, C1-C2, and S2

Question 17

What layer is made up of avascular CT with collagen and elastic fibers in the SC?

Answer 17

Arachnoid mater

Question 18

What is the purpose of the denticulate ligaments?

Answer 18

protects spinal cord against shock and sudden displacement/trauma, suspending it in fluid

Question 19

Which layer is located between ventral and dorsal nerve roots?

Answer 19

Pia mater

Question 20

What is the end of the spinal cord called?

Answer 20

Conus medullaris

Question 21

Where is the end of the spinal cord in adults? In children?

Answer 21

L1/2
L4

Question 22

What is the site for lumbar puncture? Why?

Answer 22

Lumbar cistern
Enlargement of subarachnoid space, past the ending of the spinal cord (~L2/~S2)

Question 23

What do we call the remaining spinal nerves into the sacrum?

Answer 23

Cauda equina (horses tail)

Question 24

What tethers the spinal cord to the coccyx? Is it a neural structure?

Answer 24

Filum terminale
No!