Cerebral meninges
Dr Henry Knipe ◉ et al.
The cerebral meninges surround the brain and is made up of three layers (from outermost to innermost):
The dura mater can also be known as pachymeninx. The arachnoid mater and pia mater are collectively known as the leptomeninges 3. The spinal meninges are similar but have some important differences.
The meninges function to protect the brain but also provides a framework for blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 2.
There are two potential spaces:
- epidural (extradural) space: between the bone of the cranium and outer layer of the dura mater
- subdural space: between the inner layer of the dura mater and the arachnoid mater
There is one CSF-containing real space, subarachnoid space, between the arachnoid and pia mater.
History and etymology
The word meninges arises from the Greek meninx meaning "membrane" 4.
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