Innervation of the meninges

Last revised by Robin Yang on 13 Aug 2020

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Maingard J, Yang R, Kang O, et al. Innervation of the meninges. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 19 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-25282

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-25282

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/25282?embed_domain=external.radpair.com%25252527%2525255B0%2525255Dfavicon.ico

rID:

25282

Article created:

17 Oct 2013, Julian Maingard ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Julian Maingard had no recorded disclosures.

View Julian Maingard's current disclosures

Last revised:

13 Aug 2020, Robin Yang

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Robin Yang had no recorded disclosures.

View Robin Yang's current disclosures

Revisions:

11 times, by 9 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Central Nervous System

Sections:

Anatomy

Tags:

neuroanatomy

Synonyms:

Meningeal innervation

The sensory innervation of the meninges is primarily by meningeal branches of both the trigeminal and vagus nerves with a smaller contribution from the upper cervical spinal nerves ^1,2. The supratentorial dura mater is mainly supplied by the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve ³. Like the arterial supply, innervation is dependent on the site of the dura.

Innervation

The dominant nerve supplying most of the supratentorial dura is the tentorial nerve (a branch of the ophthalmic nerve (CN Va)) which supplies the falx, calvarial dura and superior surface of the tentorium.

Anterior cranial fossa

meningeal branches from the anterior and posterior ethmoidal nerves ^1,3, off the nasociliary nerve from the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve
meningeal branches from the maxillary nerve (CN Vb)

Middle cranial fossa

meningeal branches of ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular divisions of trigeminal nerve ^1,2
tentorial branches of the ophthalmic and maxillary divisions of the trigeminal nerve extend posteriorly from the anterior end of the cavernous sinus to the upper surface of the tentorium cerebelli ¹
middle meningeal nerve (a branch off the maxillary nerve (CN Vb) supplies the anterior parts of the fossa
meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve (CN Vc) supplies the posterior parts of the fossa

Posterior cranial fossa

sensory meningeal branches from the vagus nerve (CN X) and glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) supply the inferior surface of the tentorium and dura of the posterior fossa
small sensory branches of the C1 to C3 dorsal rami supply around the foramen magnum

Related pathology

meningitis
post lumbar puncture headache ⁴

References

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Innervation of the meninges