Dura Mater Flashcards

Explore the spinal dura mater, its structure, attachments, epidural space, dural sac, nerve root sleeves, and clinical anatomy.

Card 1 of 28Question

What is the spinal dura mater?

The tough, outermost meningeal membrane surrounding the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots.

In This Section

1. What is the spinal dura mater?

The tough, outermost meningeal membrane surrounding the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots.

2. What is another anatomical name for the dura mater?

Pachymeninx, meaning the thick meningeal membrane.

3. What type of connective tissue primarily forms the spinal dura mater?

Dense irregular connective tissue rich in collagen fibers.

4. Which meningeal layer lies immediately deep to the spinal dura mater?

The arachnoid mater.

5. How does spinal dura mater differ from cranial dura mater in its organization?

Spinal dura consists of a single meningeal layer, whereas cranial dura has periosteal and meningeal layers.

6. With which cranial meningeal layer is the spinal dura mater continuous?

The meningeal layer of the cranial dura mater.

7. At which opening does the cranial dura mater become continuous with the spinal dura mater?

The foramen magnum.

8. What is the spinal dural sac?

The tubular sleeve of dura mater enclosing the spinal arachnoid, subarachnoid space, spinal cord, and cauda equina.

9. At approximately which vertebral level does the spinal dural sac terminate in adults?

The second sacral vertebral level (S2).

10. What is the spinal epidural space?

The space between the spinal dura mater and the periosteum lining the vertebral canal.

11. What are the principal contents of the spinal epidural space?

Adipose tissue, loose connective tissue, and the internal vertebral venous plexus.

12. Which venous plexus is closely associated with the outer surface of the spinal dura mater?

The internal vertebral venous plexus.

13. What is the subdural space in relation to the spinal dura mater?

A potential space at the interface between the dura mater and arachnoid mater.

14. What are spinal dural root sleeves?

Tubular extensions of dura mater surrounding spinal nerve roots as they pass toward the intervertebral foramina.

15. With which connective tissue covering does the dura mater of a spinal nerve root sleeve become continuous?

The epineurium of the spinal nerve.

16. How is the spinal dural sac attached superiorly?

It is firmly attached around the foramen magnum and to the upper cervical vertebral region.

17. Which structure anchors the inferior end of the dural sac toward the coccyx?

The coccygeal ligament, also called the filum terminale externum.

18. Which structure connects the spinal cord to the inferior end of the dural sac?

The filum terminale internum, a continuation of the pia mater.

19. How is the spinal dura mater related to the denticulate ligaments?

The denticulate ligaments are lateral extensions of pia mater that attach to the dura and stabilize the spinal cord.

20. Which structures provide the principal arterial supply to the spinal dura mater?

Meningeal branches of regional segmental arteries entering through the intervertebral foramina.

21. How is the spinal dura mater innervated?

Primarily by meningeal branches of spinal nerves, including recurrent meningeal nerves.

22. What is the function of the spinal dura mater?

It provides a strong protective sheath around the spinal cord, nerve roots, and cerebrospinal fluid compartment.

23. Which anatomical space receives medication during epidural anesthesia?

The spinal epidural space, external to the dura mater.

24. Which two meningeal layers are penetrated during lumbar puncture to obtain cerebrospinal fluid?

The dura mater and arachnoid mater.

25. Which lumbar intervertebral spaces are commonly selected for lumbar puncture?

The L3-L4 or L4-L5 intervertebral spaces.

26. What can result from an accidental tear or puncture of the spinal dura mater?

Cerebrospinal fluid leakage, potentially causing an intracranial hypotension headache.

27. What is a spinal epidural hematoma?

A collection of blood in the spinal epidural space that may compress the dural sac and neural structures.

28. What is a spinal meningocele?

A protrusion of meninges and cerebrospinal fluid through a defect in the vertebral column, without spinal cord tissue in the sac.