pia mater

Examples of pia mater in the following topics:

• Meninges

  • In mammals, the meninges consist of three layers: the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater .
  • It contains larger blood vessels that split into the capillaries in the pia mater.
  • The arachnoid and pia mater are sometimes together called the leptomeninges.
  • The pia mater [Latin: 'soft mother'] is a very delicate membrane.
  • The arachnoid is attached to the dura mater, while the pia mater is attached to the central nervous system tissue.

• Body Cavity Membranes

  • In mammals, the meninges consist of three layers: the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater .
  • It contains larger blood vessels which split into the capillaries in the pia mater.
  • The dura mater is composed of dense fibrous tissue, and its inner surface is covered by flattened cells like those present on the surfaces of the pia mater and arachnoid mater.
  • It is composed of fibrous tissue and, like the pia mater, is covered by flat cells also thought to be impermeable to fluid.
  • The pia mater is a very delicate membrane.

• Synovial Membranes

  • In mammals, the meninges consist of three layers: the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater .
  • The arachnoid mater is a thin, transparent membrane composed of fibrous tissue and, like the pia mater, is covered by flat cells also thought to be impermeable to fluid.
  • The pia mater is the innermost layer of the meninges.
  • The subarachnoid space is the space that normally exists between the arachnoid and the pia mater, which is filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
  • The arachnoid is attached to the dura mater, while the pia mater is attached to the central nervous system tissue.

• Oculomotor (III) Nerve

  • On emerging from the brain, the oculomotor nerve is invested with a sheath of pia mater and enclosed in a prolongation from the arachnoid mater.
  • It passes between the superior cerebellar and posterior cerebral arteries, and then pierces the dura mater anterior and lateral to the posterior clinoid process (to give attachment to the tectorium cerebella), passing between the free and attached borders of the tentorium cerebelli.

• Optic (II) Nerve

  • The optic nerve is ensheathed in all three meningeal layers (dura, arachnoid, and pia mater) rather than the epineurium, perineurium, and endoneurium found in the peripheral nerves.

• Overview of the Spinal Cord

  • The dura mater is the outermost layer of spinal cord tissue, forming a tough protective coating.
  • The space between the dura mater and the surrounding bone of the vertebrae is called the epidural space.
  • The middle layer is called the arachnoid mater.
  • The pia mater is the innermost protective layer and is tightly associated with the surface of the spinal cord.
  • The space between the arachnoid and pia maters is called the subarachnoid space and is where the CSF is located.

• Ventricles

  • The CSF within the skull and spine is found between the pia mater and the arachnoid and provides further cushioning.

• Cerebrospinal Fluid and Its Circulation

  • The CSF occupies the space between the arachnoid mater (the middle layer of the brain cover, the meninges) and the pia mater (the layer of the meninges closest to the brain).

• Veins of the Head and Neck

  • Dural sinuses are composed of dural mater lined with endothelium, making them distinct from arteries, veins, and capillaries.

• Epidural Anesthesia

  • The needle for the epidural is injected between vertebra into the space outside the dura mater of the spinal cord.