Pia Mater Flashcards

Examine the spinal pia mater, its close attachment to the spinal cord, denticulate ligaments, filum terminale, and vascular relationships.

Card 1 of 24Question

What is the pia mater?

The delicate, innermost meningeal membrane that closely covers the brain and spinal cord.

In This Section

1. What is the pia mater?

The delicate, innermost meningeal membrane that closely covers the brain and spinal cord.

2. To which category of meninges does the pia mater belong?

The leptomeninges, together with the arachnoid mater.

3. Which meningeal layer lies immediately superficial to the spinal pia mater?

The arachnoid mater, separated from the pia by the subarachnoid space.

4. What type of connective tissue primarily forms the spinal pia mater?

Thin, vascular connective tissue containing collagen fibers and specialized meningeal cells.

5. How does the pia mater differ from the arachnoid mater in its attachment to the spinal cord?

The pia closely adheres to the spinal cord surface, while the arachnoid forms a loose surrounding membrane.

6. What is the relationship between the spinal pia mater and the anterior median fissure?

The pia mater extends into the anterior median fissure of the spinal cord.

7. What is the subarachnoid space?

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

8. What is the principal difference in vascularity between the pia mater and arachnoid mater?

The pia mater is vascular, whereas the arachnoid mater is essentially avascular.

9. What is a major vascular function of the spinal pia mater?

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

10. What is the vasocorona of the spinal cord?

A pial arterial network surrounding the spinal cord and connecting longitudinal spinal arterial systems.

11. Which longitudinal arteries are closely associated with the spinal pia mater?

The anterior spinal artery and paired posterior spinal arteries.

12. What are the denticulate ligaments?

Paired, tooth-like lateral extensions of the spinal pia mater that attach to the dura mater.

13. Where are the denticulate ligaments positioned relative to the spinal nerve roots?

Between the anterior and posterior spinal nerve rootlets.

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

To stabilize the spinal cord laterally within the dural sac.

15. Approximately how many pairs of denticulate ligament attachments are typically present?

About 21 pairs, although the number varies.

16. What is the filum terminale?

A slender fibrous continuation of the pia mater extending inferiorly from the conus medullaris.

17. What is the filum terminale internum?

The pial extension that runs from the conus medullaris to approximately the S2 vertebral level within the dural sac.

18. What is the filum terminale externum?

The fibrous continuation of the filum terminale beyond the dural sac, enclosed by dura and extending toward the coccyx.

19. What is another name for the filum terminale externum?

The coccygeal ligament.

20. What is the stabilizing function of the filum terminale?

It provides longitudinal anchorage that helps limit excessive displacement of the spinal cord.

21. What are arachnoid trabeculae in relation to the pia mater?

Delicate connective tissue strands extending from the arachnoid mater to the pia mater across the subarachnoid space.

22. What is the embryological origin of the spinal pia mater?

The meninx primitiva, derived predominantly from mesodermal mesenchyme in the spinal region.

23. What spinal disorder may occur when an abnormally thickened or fatty filum terminale restricts spinal cord movement?

Tethered cord syndrome.

24. Why is identification of the denticulate ligaments useful during spinal surgery?

They provide anatomical landmarks for spinal cord orientation and may assist surgical stabilization or exposure.