What are the 3 meninges and their functions?

Your brain and spinal cord are protected and supported by three meningeal layers. These membrane layers are the dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater. The layers plus cerebrospinal fluid keep your brain tissue from jostling against your skull, as well as other functions.

What happens if the arachnoid mater is damaged?

The arachnoid mater is the middle tissue of the meninges. Damage to the arachnoid mater can cause swelling and inflammation. This swelling can cause nerves in the spine to stick together, altering nerve function and triggering intense pain. Arachnoiditis is almost always caused by an injury.

What is the function of the pia mater?

the innermost layer of the meninges, the pia mater closely covers the brain. It acts as a barrier and aids in the production of cerebrospinal fluid. A close-up view of the meninges.

What is the function of dura mater?

The dura mater surrounds and supports the large venous channels (dural sinuses) carrying blood from the brain toward the heart. The dura mater is partitioned into several septa, which support the brain.

What is between the arachnoid and pia mater?

The subarachnoid space is the cerebrospinal fluid-filled space that exists between the arachnoid and the pia.

What does arachnoid mater do?

Arachnoid mater: Connected to the dura mater on the side closest to the CNS, this middle layer includes a network of fibers and collagen that are part of the suspension system that helps protect the brain and spinal cord from sudden impact.

What neurological problems does arachnoiditis cause?

If Arachnoiditis affects the function of nerves, it can cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and a characteristic stinging and burning pain in the lower back or legs. In some people, it may affect the bladder, bowel, and sexual function. Very severe Arachnoiditis can result in paralysis of the legs.

Is arachnoiditis life threatening?

There is no consistent pattern of symptoms with arachnoiditis. In some cases, the condition may be subclinical (i.e., with few overt symptoms). At other times, the condition can be debilitating, although it is rarely considered life-threatening.

Does pia mater produce CSF?

choroid plexuses—including portions of the pia mater, or innermost brain covering, that project into the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain. The choroid plexuses secrete cerebrospinal fluid.

What happens if the dura mater is damaged?

A spinal CSF leak happens when the spinal dura mater has a hole or tear, allowing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to leak out of this enclosed space. This results in intracranial hypotension, a low volume of CSF remaining around the brain and spinal cord.

Is the dura mater pain sensitive?

It is currently accepted that intracranial pain-sensitive structures are limited to the dura mater and its feeding vessels and that small cerebral vessels and pia mater are insensitive to pain, which is inconsistent with some neurosurgical observations during awake craniotomy procedures.