Table of Contents
What does the pia mater consist of?
The pia mater is the meningeal envelope that firmly adheres to the surface of the brain and spinal cord. It is a very thin membrane composed of fibrous tissue covered on its outer surface by a sheet of flat cells thought to be impermeable to fluid.…
Does the pia mater surround the spinal cord?
Pia Mater. The pia mater closely surrounds the spinal cord and sends septa into its substance. The pia also contributes to the formation of the filum terminale internum, a whitish fibrous filament that extends from the conus medullaris to the tip of the dural sac.
What does the arachnoid mater do?
Arachnoid mater: Connected to the dura mater on the side closest to the CNS, this middle layer includes a network of fibers and collagen that are part of the suspension system that helps protect the brain and spinal cord from sudden impact.
Why is the pia mater thin?
The pia mater is a thin fibrous tissue that is permeable to water and small solutes. The pia mater allows blood vessels to pass through and nourish the brain….
| Pia mater | |
|---|---|
| TA2 | 5405 |
| FMA | 9590 |
| Anatomical terminology |
What are the two extensions of pia mater?
Midway between the attachments of dorsal and ventral roots, the pia mater gives a series of intermittent lateral extensions known as the denticulate ligaments. These form 21 tooth-like processes on each side that attach the spinal cord to the dura through the arachnoid membrane.
How is pia mater attached to brain?
It is anchored to the brain by the processes of astrocytes, which are glial cells responsible for many functions, including maintenance of the extracellular space. The cranial pia mater joins with the ependyma, which lines the cerebral ventricles to form choroid plexuses that produce cerebrospinal fluid.
What is the function of the cranial pia mater?
Together with the other meningeal layers, the function of the pia mater is to protect the central nervous system by containing the cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions the brain and spine. The cranial pia mater covers the surface of the brain.
What is the function of the pia mater in spinal cord?
What does pia mater mean in medical terms?
The term “pia mater” means “tender matter.” It is composed of delicate connective tissue and has many tiny blood vessels. The pia mater is the only layer that clings tightly to the brain and follows all of its convolutions. Cerebral arteries and veins travel in the subarachnoid space, completely enveloped by pia mater.
How does the pia mater attach to the dura mater?
The pia mater attaches to the dura mater through 21 pairs of denticulate ligaments that pass through the arachnoid mater and dura mater of the spinal cord. These denticular ligaments help to anchor the spinal cord and prevent side to side movement, providing stability.
How is the pia mater similar to the ependyma?
Due to the pia mater’s and the ependyma’s high permeability, water and small molecules in the CSF are able to enter the brain interstitial fluid, so the interstitial brain fluid and the CSF are very similar in terms of composition.
When does the pia mater become irritated and inflamed?
When the pia mater becomes irritated and inflamed the result is meningitis. Pia mater is the thin, translucent, mesh-like meningeal envelope, spanning nearly the entire surface of the brain.