Chapter 13, Problem 1CP

Summary Introduction

To review:

The location of the spinal meninges and the location of epidural, subdural, and subarachnoid spaces.

Introduction:

Meninges are basically three coverings of connective and protective tissues. The meninges consist of three membranous layers, dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater. The spaces that fill between and around the meninges are epidural, subdural and subarachnoid spaces.

Explanation of Solution

Meninges are responsible for covering the spinal cord and the brain, they start from the superficial toward the inner and deep layers of the tissue and they are subdivided into dura, arachnoid, and pia mater. Dura is basically the outer sheet of the meninges, arachnoid comes the second layer which segregates the dura from the pia matter. Lastly, pia mater is the innermost sheet of the meninges.

These three layers of meninges are segregated by spaces and these spaces are described below:

The spinal cord is covered by a cushion made up of fat and some content of connective tissue which is responsible to protect the spinal cord from any damage and this is situated within the epidural space. Epidural space, hence, is a gap present that segregates the dura mater from the wall of the vertebral canal.

Another thin space that segregates the dura mater from the arachnoid mater of the brain is the subdural space and this gap basically carries the interstitial fluid. Subarachnoid space is another gap which basically provides a cerebrospinal fluid that is shock absorbing. This space segregates the arachnoid mater from the pia mater.

Conclusion

Hence, it can be concluded that the location of the layers of meninges plays an important role in covering and protecting the central nervous system of the spinal cord.