Subarachnoid space
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View Rohit Sharma's current disclosures- Subarachnoid spaces
The subarachnoid space is the interval between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater. It is occupied by delicate connective tissue trabeculae and intercommunicating channels containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as well as branches of the arteries and veins of the brain.
The cavity is small in the normal brain. Over the gyri, the arachnoid membrane and pia mater are in close contact. However, in the sulci, triangular spaces develop because the pia mater is closely applied to the cerebral cortex and the arachnoid membrane bridges the gap between adjacent gyri without descending into each sulcus.
At certain points, the pia mater and arachnoid membrane are separated by wide intervals which communicate freely with each other known as subarachnoid cisterns, in which the subarachnoid tissue is less abundant.
The subarachnoid space is subdivided into two functional compartments by the very thin subarachnoid lymphatic-like membrane, which compartmentalises the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, and has potential roles in neuroinflammatory conditions 1.
The subarachnoid space is also contiguous around the spinal cord.
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Related pathology
subarachnoid FLAIR hyperintensity (differential diagnosis)
References
- 1. Møllgård K, Beinlich F, Kusk P et al. A Mesothelium Divides the Subarachnoid Space into Functional Compartments. Science. 2023;379(6627):84-8. doi:10.1126/science.adc8810 - Pubmed
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- Subarachnoid cisterns
- Scala vestibuli
- Pseudosubarachnoid haemorrhage
- Benign enlargement of the subarachnoid space in infancy
- Extra-axial
- Perilymph
- Intracranial arteries
- Perilymphatic duct
- Optic nerve
- Tadpole sign
- Dural arteriovenous fistula
- Lateral apertures (of Luschka)
- Subarachnoid haemorrhage (summary)
- Arachnoid cyst
- Arachnoid mater
- Foramen of Magendie
- Spinal meninges
- Arachnoiditis
- Cranial meninges
- Leptomeningitis
- Acute tentorium cerebelli subdural haematoma
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
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