Meninges of Brain

Your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) are surrounded and safeguarded by three layers of membrane called meninges. Your brain is held in place, protected, and has blood arteries, nerves, lymphatics, and cerebrospinal fluid maintained by three membranes:

1. The dura mater
2. Arachnoid mater
3. Pia mater

Meninges: What exactly are they?

Your brain and spinal cord, collectively referred to as your Central Nervous System (CNS), are covered and shielded by three layers of membrane called the meninges. Their other names are:

• The dura mater - The outer layer nearest to the skull is called the dura mater.
• Arachnoid mater- Arachnoid mater is the name of the middle layer.
• Pia mater- The innermost layer of the brain.

Leptomeninges are the collective name for the arachnoid and pia maters.

There are three spaces in the meninges:

• The epidural space- It is a void between your skull's dura mater, your spinal cord's dura mater, and the vertebral column's bones. Anaesthesia and analgesics may occasionally be injected into this region of your spine. The spinal cord comes to an end at the middle of your back, between the first and second lumbar vertebra, leaving just cerebrospinal fluid behind. Here, a lumbar puncture (sometimes called a "spinal tap") is performed.
• The subdural space- It is a void between your arachnoid mater and dura mater. This space doesn't exist normally, but it might if you experience a brain injury (such a brain haemorrhage) or another illness.
• The subarachnoid space- It is a space between your arachnoid mater and pia mater. Within is cerebral spinal fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid cushions and safeguards your brain and spinal cord.

What purpose do the Meninges fulfil?

The Meninges means-

• Act as a support system for the lymphatic system (drainage system), the middle meningeal artery, the trigeminal and vagus nerves, and the cerebrospinal fluid in the CNS tissues.
• Protect your CNS (central nervous system) from brain damage by acting as a shock absorber.

What features does Dura Mater have?

The thick, durable membrane layer directly underneath your skull and vertebral column is called the dura mater. Dura mater is Latin for "hard mother." This structure is comprised of two layers of connective tissue. On one side, the dura is connected to your skull, and on the other, to the arachnoid mater, your middle membrane layer. Cerebrospinal fluid can return to the bloodstream and blood can leave your brain thanks to a drainage system in your dura mater called the dural venous sinuses. Your middle meningeal artery and vein provide your dura mater with blood, and your trigeminal nerve passes through it.

Four thin membrane layers known as dural reflections are produced as a result of the dura mater folding inward. Each dural reflection encircles a particular hemisphere of your brain.

What features does Arachnoid Tissue have?

The arachnoid mater, the middle layer of your meninges, is located just beneath the dura mater. There is a thin layer separating your dura mater from your pia mater. There are no blood vessels or nerves. It resembles a spiderweb because of connective tissue projections that connect to your alma mater (the term "arachnoid" refers to a spider). The cerebrospinal fluid, which serves as the brain's cushion, is found in the subarachnoid space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater.

What Sets the Pia Mater Apart?

Your brain and spinal cord are covered in a thin layer called your pia mater, or deepest layer, which sticks to them like shrink wrap. This layer has numerous blood vessels that carry blood to the brain tissue. Cerebrospinal fluid retention is also facilitated by it. The spinal cord's rigidity is maintained by the pia mater.

What Medical Conditions Affect the Meninges?

The two most prevalent conditions that impact your meninges are as follows:

• The Meningitis- This is an infection of your meninges in the body. A virus, fungus, or bacteria can all result in an infection. Typically, a lumbar puncture is necessary to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid for the purpose of making a diagnosis. Meningitis can also be brought on by certain drugs, inflammatory conditions, brain surgery, and malignancy.
• Subdural hematoma - The blood vessel tear that caused this bleeding between your dura mater and arachnoid mater.
• Other meningeal layers bleeding- Blood vessels abound within your meninges. In people who take blood thinners or have bleeding problems, head trauma can cause bleeding between any of the meningeal layers.

Doctor's Suggestion

Three layers of meninges surround and protect your spinal cord and brain. Pia mater, arachnoid mater, and dura mater are the three membrane layers. The layers, which also contain cerebrospinal fluid, among other things, protect your brain tissue from rubbing up against your skull. Contrarily, bleeding into any of your meninges and/or the brain tissue itself (intracranial haemorrhage) can occur because of head trauma. Contact your doctor right away if you get a blow to the head because of trauma (like a car accident), a sports injury, or a fall.