Question

What are the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord?

Answer 1

Brain and spinal cord

1. The brain and spinal cord are the components of the central nervous system (CNS). They help in the control and coordination of various activities as it forms the central processing unit of the body.

Protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord.

1. The brain and the spinal cord are encased in a body cage called the skull and the vertebral column respectively. They have a protective covering made of 3 layers together called the meninges.
2. The outer layer is the dura mater, which is tough and thick. The middle layer is the arachnoid mater. The inner layer is the pia mater, which is highly vascularized, thin, and in close contact with the brain and the spinal cord.
3. Between the dura mater and arachnoid mater is the sub-dural space. Similarly, between the arachnoid mater and pia mater is the subarachnoid space. These spaces are filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).