Ultrastructure of Spinal Dura Mater

Pia mater is the innermost of the three meningeal membranes, closely surrounding the brain, the spinal cord, and the portion of spinal nerve roots extending towards their exit across the dura mater. A cellular layer and a subpial compartment shape the structure of the pia mater. The cellular layer is made up of flat, overlapping pial cells with amorphous, fundamental substance interposed among them. The surface of the cellular plane appears smooth and bright under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Transmission electron microscopy shows that the cellular component is about three to five pial cells thick at the medullary level and two to three cells thick at the level of the nerve roots. Th…