ANP 1106 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Pia Mater, Dura Mater, Anterior Grey Column

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Anatomy and Physiology
• Course: ANP 1106
• Professor: Joanne Savory

Document Summary

The spinal cord, enclosed in the vertebral column, extends from the foramen magnum of the skull to the first or second lumbar vertebra. It provides a two-way communication (conduction) path to and from the brain. It contains spinal reflex centres, protected by bone, meninges and cerebral spinal fluid. Epidural space fills the space between the bony vertebrae and the spinal dura matter, acting as a cushion of fat and network of veins. Cerebrospinal fluid fills the sub- arachnoid space between the arachnoid and pia mater meninges. These dural and arachnoid membranes extend to the sacrum, beyond the end of the spinal cord, and it the site of lumbar puncture/tap (removal of csf). Filum terminale: fibrous extension of conus covered with pia mater that anchors the spinal cord. Denticulate ligaments: extensions of pia mater that secure the cord to dura mater. 31 pairs of spinal nerves (pns) attach to the cord by paired roots, that exit via the vertebral col- umn.