Chapter 13 - Principles of Anatomy and Physiology

Due to the CNS inability to regenerate neurons, the CNS (brain and spinal cord) has adapted physically strong barriers as protection against the environment. These include which of the following:

Meninges can be described simply as the cushion between the skull and the CNS.

How many layers make up the meninges?

Which of the following is not one of the three layers of the meninges?

When meninges cover and protect the spinal cord, they are termed _______________.

When meninges cover and protect the brain, they are termed _______________.

The spinal cord also has an additional layer of cushion called the epidural space, also containing fat.

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The most superficial of the three spinal meninges is a thick strong layer composed of dense irregular connective tissue. The __________ mater forms a sac from the level of the foramen magnum in the occipital bone, where it is continuous with the meningeal __________mater of the brain, to the second sacral vertebra. The __________ mater is also continuous with the epineurium, the outer covering of spinal and cranial nerves.

This layer, the middle of the meningeal membranes, is a thin, avascular (no blood vessels) covering comprised of cells and thin, loosely arranged collagen and elastic fibers. It is called the _________________mater because of its a spider’s-web arrangement of delicate collagen fibers and some elastic fibers that extend between two maters.

This innermost meninx is a thin transparent connective tissue layer that adheres to the surface of the spinal cord and brain. It consists of thin squamous to cuboidal cells within interlacing bundles of collagen fibers and some fine elastic fibers. Within the _________ mater are many blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the spinal cord.

Between the arachnoid mater and pia mater is a space is the ____________ space. It contains shock-absorbing cerebrospinal fluid.

Between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater is a thin space called the ___________ space. It contains interstitial fluid.

The ___________ is roughly oval in shape, being flattened slightly anteriorly and posteriorly. In adults, it extends from the medulla oblongata, the inferior part of the brain, to the superior border of the second lumbar vertebra. In newborn infants, it extends to the third or fourth lumbar vertebra.

When the spinal cord is viewed externally, two conspicuous enlargements can be seen. The superior enlargement extends from the fourth cervical vertebra (C4) to the first thoracic vertebra (T1). Nerves to and from the upper limbs arise from this enlargement: