Spinal Meninges

meninges spinales

The spinal meninges are the continuation of the cranial meninges down the vertebral canal. The dura forms a tube, the dural sac, that ends at about S2, while the spinal cord itself ends at about L1-L2. Unlike in the skull, the spinal dura is separated from the bone by a fat-filled epidural space.

Anatomical Data

Structure & Connections

Location	Within the vertebral canal from the foramen magnum to the sacrum, surrounding the spinal cord, cauda equina and nerve roots
Parts	Spinal dura mater (dural sac) Spinal arachnoid mater Spinal pia mater Denticulate ligaments Filum terminale Lumbar cistern Dural root sleeves
Connections	Cranial meninges at the foramen magnum Epidural space and fat Spinal nerve roots and dorsal root ganglia Coccyx (via the filum terminale externum)
Blood Supply	Spinal branches of the vertebral, ascending cervical, posterior intercostal, lumbar and lateral sacral arteries

Biomechanics

Function & Actions

Protect and suspend the spinal cord within the vertebral canal and contain the cerebrospinal fluid around it.

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Lumbar puncture and spinal anaesthesia are performed below L2 (usually L3-L4 or L4-L5) to enter the dural sac below the cord's end. Epidural anaesthesia places the drug outside the dura. Spinal meningiomas and schwannomas are common intradural tumours, and an epidural abscess or haematoma can rapidly compress the cord.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Spinal Epidural Abscess

Infection in the space outside the spinal dura causing back pain, fever and, if untreated, rapid cord compression with paralysis.

Post-Dural Puncture Headache

A headache worse on sitting or standing after a hole in the spinal dura from lumbar puncture or accidental puncture during an epidural.

Spinal Meningioma

A benign intradural tumour, most often thoracic in middle-aged women, causing slowly progressive cord compression.

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