The Meninges Flashcards
The protective membranes of the brain are known as the meninges. This lesson discusses the structure and function of the three meningeal layers: the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater. We also describe two areas that have clinical relevance: the epidural space and lumbar cistern.
What are the three membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord?
- The Dura mater
- The Arachnoid mater
- The Pia Mater
What do the meninges do?
- protect and provide structural support for the brain
- protect the brain and spinal cord.
What do the meninges contain?
- cerebrospinal fluid
The meninges plus cerebrospinal fluid do what?
- keep your brain tissue from jostling against your skull, as well as other functions.
- cushions your brain
What is the outermost layer of the meninges?
- The Dura mater
Define “Dura mater”
Definiton found on www.cancer.gov.
- The tough outer layer of tissue that covers and protects the brain and spinal cord and is closest to the skull.
The dura mater is one of the three layers that form the meninges.
“Dura mater” also means…
The word itself…
- “Hard mother”
What does this thick and tough layer (the dura mater) adhere to?
- The skull on one side and the arachnoid mater on the other side.
What does the Dura mater do?
- provide the brain and spinal cord with an extra protective layer
- attaches the brain to the skull
- attaches the spinal cord to the vertebral column to keep them, from jostling around
- provides a system of veinous drainages through which blood can leave the brain
What is the middle layer of the meninges?
- The Arachnoid mater
Define “Arachnoid mater”
- The tough outer layer of tissue that covers and protects the brain and spinal cord and is closest to the skull.
How did the Arachnoid mater get its name?
- It has the consistency and appearance of a cobweb
“Strands of connective tissue”
- Arachnoid trabeculae
Where does the Arachnoid trabculae stretch between?
- the archnoid and the piameter
What does the Archnoid trabeculae help do?
- suspend the brain in place
between the Arachnoid and the Pia mater there is a space also known as?
- the subarchnoid space
What is the subarachnoid space filled with?
- Cerebral spinal fluid
What is the innermost layer of the meninges?
- The Pia mater
A thin layer that closely follows the contours of the brain…
- The Pia mater
What does the Pia mater form?
- A tight membrane around the brain and spinal cord acting as an additional barrier and aiding in the secretion and containment of cerebrospinal fluids
The epidural space is?
- A space between the dura of the spinal cord and the bone of the vertebral column
Where is analgesics and anesthesia sometimes administered?
- The epidural space
What are analgesics?
- Medications used in the management and treatment of pain
What is anesthesia?
- A medical intervention that prevents patients from feeling pain during procedures
What does the dura and arachnoid mater extend to do?
- they extend several vertebre below the end pof te spinal cord to create a cerebrospinal fluid filled area called “the lumbar cistern”
the subarachnoid space in the lower lumbar spinal canal
Lumbar cistern
Lumbar cistern
- the subarachnoid space in the lower lumbar spinal canal
A cerebrospinal fluid filled area where there is no spinal cord present
The lumbar cistern
A lumbar puncture is also known as
A spinal tap
What is the sight where cerebrospinal fluid is asiprated in a lumbar puncture?
The lumbar cistern
A thin layer that follows the contour of the brain.
Pia mater
The _____ ______ forms a tight membrane around the brain and ______ ______ and acts as an __________ ________ aiding in the __________ and containment of ________ _______.
Pia mater, spinal cord, additional barrier, secretion, cerebrospinal fluid.
_____ _____ are held against the Pia mater by ________ _______ before they _________ the brain.
Blood vessels, connective tissue, penetrate.
