Spinal Cord: Coverings (Spinal Meninges)

Question 1

Spinal meninges

Answer 1

Spinal cord is surrounded by 3 meninges:
1. Pia
2. Arachnoid
3. Dura
Inside outwards

Question 2

Pia matter

Answer 2

Delicate membrane adherent to spinal cord

Question 3

Pia matter attachment: above

Answer 3

It is continuous through foramen magnum with pia matter of brain

Question 4

Pia matter attachment: below

Answer 4

Ends at tip of conus

Question 5

Pia matter attachment: towards

Answer 5

Sends sheaths around spinal nerve roots

Question 6

Pia matter attachment: inwards

Answer 6

Sends sheath around spinal blood vessels

Question 7

Pia matter bands (4)

Answer 7

1. Linea splendens
2. Subarachnoid septum
3. Filum terminale
4. Denticulate ligaments

Question 8

Linea spendens

Answer 8

Median glistening pia mater band extending along anterior median fissure

Question 9

Subarachnoid septum

Answer 9

Backward pia mater extension at posterior median sulcus to attach dura mater

Question 10

Filum terminale

Answer 10

1. Slivery glistening pia mater fibrous band extending downwards from tip of conus medullaris among cauda equine
2. At level of S2 vertebra it pierces arachnoid and dura, acquires a Dural investment to attach to coccyx back

Question 11

Denticulate ligaments

Answer 11

1. 2 pia mater lateral bands, piercing arachnoid to attach to dura mater
2. Its lateral edge is serrated and has 21 processes
3. It extends from foramen magnum to L1 vertebra lying midway between ventral and dorsal spinal nerve roots

Question 12

Arachnoid mater

Answer 12

Delicate membrane between pia and dura maters

Question 13

Arachnoid mater attachment: above

Answer 13

It is continuous through foramen magnum with arachnoid mater of brain

Question 14

Arachnoid mater attachment: below

Answer 14

Ends at S2 vertebra

Question 15

Arachnoid mater spaces

Answer 15

1. Subarachnoid space
2. Subdural space

Question 16

Subarachnoid space site

Answer 16

Between arachnoid and pia maters

Question 17

Subarachnoid space contents

Answer 17

1. CSF
2. Spinal nerve roots
3. Spinal blood vessels

Question 18

Lumbar cistern site

Answer 18

Lower part of spinal sub-arachnoid space (devoid of spinal cord) extending from L2-S2

Question 19

Lumbar cistern content

Answer 19

1. CSF
2. Cauda equine
3. Filum terminale

Question 20

Important site for lumbar puncture

Answer 20

Lumbar cistern

Question 21

Lumbar puncture

Answer 21

1. A needle is introduced in subarachnoid space to obtain CSF sample or to inject drug
2. Done below L2 to avoid spinal cord injury, cauda nerves are not liable to be injured by needle being floating in CSF

Question 22

Subdural space site

Answer 22

Between arachnoid and dura maters
Contains thin film of serous fluid

Question 23

Dura mater

Answer 23

Thick fibrous tough outermost membrane

Question 24

Dura mater attachment: above

Answer 24

It is attached to margins of foramen magnum

Question 25

Dura mater attachment: below

Answer 25

It ends as S2 vertebra

Question 26

Dura mater attachment: outwards

Answer 26

It sends sheaths around spinal nerve roots and trunk (in intervertebral foramina), around Filum terminale

Question 27

Dura mater spaces

Answer 27

1. Subdural space
2. Epidural (extra-Dural) space

Question 28

Subdural space site and contents

Answer 28

1. Between dura and arachnoid maters
2. Contains thin film of serous fluid

Question 29

Epidural space site

Answer 29

Between dura mater and vertebral canal periosteum

Question 30

Epidural content

Answer 30

1. Loose areolar tissue
2. Fat
3. Internal vertebral vein plexus
4. Spinal nerve roots