Anatomy of the meninges: structural and functional aspects.

Abstract This chapter deals with the structure and functional aspects of the human meninges. It is shown that, although grouped together under the general heading of meninges, the dura mater and the leptomeninges, consisting of the arachnoid and pia mater, have distinctly different structures and functions. There are 4 major fluid compartments in the central nervous system: blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), interstitial (extracellular) fluid, and intracellular fluid. This chapter focuses mainly on blood, CSF and interstitial fluid, and the interrelations between these 3 fluids.