Meninges Flashcards

Explore the spinal meninges, their three protective layers, meningeal spaces, specialized attachments, and clinical relationships.

Card 1 of 30Question

What are the meninges?

Three connective tissue membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

In This Section

1. What are the meninges?

Three connective tissue membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

2. What are the three meningeal layers from superficial to deep?

Dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

3. Which meningeal layer is also called the pachymeninx?

The dura mater.

4. Which two meningeal layers are collectively called the leptomeninges?

The arachnoid mater and pia mater.

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

Dense collagen-rich connective tissue.

6. How does spinal dura mater differ structurally from cranial dura mater?

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

7. What is the spinal dural sac?

A tubular dural sheath enclosing the spinal cord, cauda equina, arachnoid mater, and cerebrospinal fluid compartment.

8. At approximately which vertebral level does the adult spinal dural sac terminate?

The second sacral vertebral level (S2).

9. What is the spinal epidural space?

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

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

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

11. What is the subdural space?

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

12. What is the primary structural characteristic of the arachnoid mater?

A thin, essentially avascular membrane with a barrier cell layer and delicate trabeculae.

13. What are arachnoid trabeculae?

Fine connective tissue strands extending between the arachnoid mater and pia mater.

14. What is the subarachnoid space?

The cerebrospinal fluid-filled space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater.

15. What is the principal function of cerebrospinal fluid within the spinal subarachnoid space?

To provide buoyancy and mechanical cushioning for the spinal cord.

16. How does the pia mater attach to the spinal cord?

It closely adheres to the spinal cord surface and follows its contours.

17. What is the vascular significance of the pia mater?

It supports blood vessels supplying the surface and substance of the spinal cord.

18. What are the denticulate ligaments?

Tooth-like lateral extensions of the pia mater that attach to the dura mater.

19. Where are the denticulate ligaments located relative to spinal nerve rootlets?

Between the anterior and posterior spinal nerve rootlets.

20. What is the primary function of the denticulate ligaments?

To stabilize the spinal cord laterally within the dural sac.

21. What is the filum terminale internum?

A slender pial extension from the conus medullaris to the inferior end of the dural sac.

22. What is the filum terminale externum?

A dural-covered fibrous continuation that anchors the inferior dural sac toward the coccyx.

23. At approximately which vertebral level does the adult spinal cord normally terminate?

Near the L1 to L2 vertebral level.

24. What is the lumbar cistern?

The enlarged subarachnoid space below the conus medullaris containing cerebrospinal fluid and cauda equina roots.

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

The L3-L4 or L4-L5 intervertebral spaces.

26. Which meningeal layers must a lumbar puncture needle penetrate to enter the subarachnoid space?

The dura mater and arachnoid mater.

27. Which meningeal spaces are targeted during epidural and spinal anesthesia, respectively?

The epidural space for epidural anesthesia and subarachnoid space for spinal anesthesia.

28. What are spinal dural root sleeves?

Extensions of dura mater surrounding spinal nerve roots as they approach the intervertebral foramina.

29. What is spinal meningitis?

Inflammation of the meninges, particularly the leptomeninges, often involving the cerebrospinal fluid.

30. What anatomical defect can cause cerebrospinal fluid leakage after a lumbar puncture?

A persistent puncture opening in the dura mater and arachnoid mater.