Meninges Flashcards
What surrounds,suspend and protects the spinal cord?
three layers of meninges
contain the CSF
What are the three layers of meninges from outer to innermost?
Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater
What is dura mater?
outer most layer of the meninges. it is the toughest thickest and denser layer.
What is dura mater attached to superiorly and anteriorly?
Foramen magnum superiorly
vert bodies anteriorly
What does the dura mater do to spinal nerves?
ensheathes them as they exit the dural sac and anchor them to the intervertebral foramen. it is now called the epineurium
What does the dura mater attaches to inferiorly?
it tapers at S2 forming he spinal coccygeal ligament
it attaches to the posterior surface of the coccyx
What are the meningeal nerves?
sympathetic and afferent fibers
this is where pain of the spinal cord and pain from the spinal cord is felt
What is the Arachnoid mater?
delicate web like in appearance
it lines the entire rural sac to S2 level
What are the Arachnoid trabeculae?
Arachnoid fibers that extend across the sub arachnid space to the pia mater
What is the pia mater?
most delicate layer of meninges
lines the surface of spinal cord and blood vessels
What does the pia mater cover inferiorly?
conus medlars then forms the film terminale
What is denticulate ligaments?
reinforced pia mater that form a tooth like lateral projections that are anchored on the arachnoid mater
What is the purpose of the denticulate ligaments?
stabilizing and suspending the spinal cord within the dural sac
What are the dural spaces?
Epidural space
subdural space
subarachnoid space
Where is the epidural space located?
outside the dura mater in the vertebral canal
What does the epidural space contain?
adipose tissue to cushion the spinal cord and plexus of veins
What is the subdural space?
potential space between the dura mater and arachnoid mater. not an actual space only. arachnoid mater lis directly on the dura mater. only space when hemorrhages occur
What is the subarachnoid space?
space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater
What does the sub arachnoid space contain?
CSF
What is the lumbar cistern?
it is what surrounds the Cauda equina.
it is a continuation of the subarachnoid space
most common place for a spinal tap
