Meninges and Cerebrospinal Fluid

BY:Marianne Johnston

What are 3 types of Meninges and what are

they?•Dura Mater•Arachnoid Mater•Pia Mater

Dura Mater:

• A thick durable membrane that is closest to the skull.

• A sac which envelops the arachnoid and has been modified to serve several functions.

• Surrounds and supports the large various channels carrying blood toward the heart.

Arachnoid Mater

• Name from its spider web like appearance.

• Exists as a thin, transparent membrane.

• Does not follow the convolutions of the surface of the brain and is a loosely fitting sac.

Pia Mater

• The Meningeal envelope which firmly adheres to the surface of the brain and spinal cord.

• It is a very thin membrane composed of a fibrous tissue covered on its outer surface by a sheet of fat cells thought to be impermeable to fluid.

What is Cerebrospinal Fluid Made Of?

• It is made of 15 to 45 mg protein (which is lower in children) and 50/80 mg glucose (two thirds of blood glucose).

What is the Function of Cerebrospinal Fluid?

• It helps nourish, support, and remove metabolic wastes.

• It mainly cushions the brain to make knocks to the head have less of an effect.

What is Meningitis?

• It is an infectious disease characterized by inflammation of the meninges usually due to a bacterial or viral infection.