Anatomy: brain - meninges (basic)

Question 1

Dura mater:
- What type of tissue is it?

Answer 1

Fibrous connective tissue

Question 2

Dura mater:
- What are the two layers?

Answer 2

Periosteal dura: internal periosteum (endosteum) of the skull
Meningeal dura: true dura

Question 3

Dura mater:
- Are the periosteal dura and meningeal dura usually fused in the endocranium?
- What happens when they are not?

Answer 3

Yes

In some places, the meningeal dura separates from the periosteal dura - forming dural septa (eg. falx cerebri).

The gap between the layers is called the dural venous sinus - which receives blood from the brain, skull, and scalp.

Question 4

Dura mater
- What artery supplies the meninges?
- Where is this artery located, in relation to the periosteal and meningeal dura?

Answer 4

The middle meningeal artery
Located between the periosteal and meningeal dura

Question 5

Arachnoid mater
- What are its special features?
- Can these features pierce the meningeal dura?

Pia mater
- What tissue type is it?

Answer 5

Arachnoid villi (individual) and arachnoid granulations (groups)
Yes

Epithelial

Question 6

Epidural space:
- What structures is it found between?
- Is it a potential or actual space?
- What pathology can occur here?

Answer 6

The scalp and dura mater
Potential space
Extradural hemorrhage

Question 7

Subdural space
- Is it a potential or actual space?
- What pathology can occur here?

Answer 7

Potential space
Subdural hemorrhage

Question 8

Subarachnoid space
- What structures is it found between?
- Is it a potential or actual space?
- What substance does it contain?

Answer 8

Arachnoid mater and pia mater
Actual space
The CSF

Question 9

Describe the innervation of the meninges

Answer 9

All 3 branches of the trigeminal nerve – CN V (ophthalmic, maxillary, mandibular)

Branches of vagus nerve (CN X)

Some branches of dorsal roots of C1-3 (mainly around foramen magnum)