Question

What happens if meninges get damaged?

Answer 1

The nervous system is the part of an animal's body that coordinates behaviour and transmits signals between different body areas. It is divided into two major parts in vertebrates: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS contains the brain and spinal cord.

Complete answer:
The meninges are the three membranes that envelop and separate the brain and spinal cord from the walls of their bony cases (skull and vertebral column). Meninges are classified as cranial meninges, which envelop the brain, and spinal meninges, which envelop the spinal cord. The cranial and spinal meninges, on the other hand, are continuous and have the same three meningeal layers.

The meninges are the following, in order of depth:
- Dura mater, also known as the pachymeninx
- Arachnoid mater
- Pia mater

These layers encircle three clinically significant potential spaces: the epidural, subdural, and subarachnoid spaces. The meninges protect the brain and spinal cord from mechanical trauma, support the blood vessels, and form a continuous cavity through which the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows. The CSF travels between the inner two meningeal layers (arachnoid and pia), which are referred to collectively as the leptomeninges.

Thus, The term meninges refers to the membranous coverings of the spinal cord and brain. These layers are made up of meninges: dura mater, pia mater, and arachnoid mater. It is a group of membranes that line the central nervous system (CNS) and help to protect the spinal cord and brain tissues from various types of injuries. Cell death in the underlying brain tissues can occur if the meninges are damaged.

Note: Cell death in the underlying brain tissues can occur if the meninges are damaged. After a traumatic brain injury, the brain can sometimes repair itself by producing new brain cells to replace damaged ones. However, the repair is not fast enough to allow recovery from degenerative conditions such as motor neuron disease (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease).