The human body has its inbuilt defense mechanism. The rib age of the skeletal system, the pelvic bones of the pelvic region, and the cranium protect the respiratory organs, the reproductive organs, and the brain respectively. Similarly, the amniotic sac protects the baby from any jerks or falls that the mother experiences while carrying the fetus. Similarly, meningitis is the protective membrane that protects the brain and the spinal cord.
A very popular neurologist in Punjab explains with the help of an interesting example “we have all heard about the war, when war happens in the olden days the army which is at the front is the one that suffers the most and thus protects the kingdom against invaders, similarly these protective membranes protect the body against any kind of jerks, talking about meningitis this suffers the most when it comes to nervous system related issues.
Now let us understand the structural construction of meningitis by neurosurgeon in Punjab, meningitis as we know is the outer protective covering of the brain and the spinal cord. It is divided into three parts let us understand all of them in detail
THE THREE SUBDIVISIONS OF THE MENINGES
- DURA MATTER: The Dura matter is the layer that is closest to the skull, the dura matter is made up of fibrous tissue and extracellular collagen that protects the brain against hitting against the walls of the cranium. The connective tissue consisting of the dura matter is thus irregular and dense.
- ARACHNOID MATTER: This particular part of the web is also called the neural web because it resembles the spider's web, this particular layer receives a rich supply of vascular arteries which thus makes it easy for this particular layer to produce the cerebrospinal fluid which is near about 500 ml a day which in turn nourish the brain with the essential nutrients.
- PIA MATTER – The pia mater is the layer that is close to the brain it has numerous supplies of blood vessels that tend to supply and replenish the brain which the required level of oxygen that is required for its normal day-to-day regular functioning. This particular layer is comparatively thicker than those of the dura mater and the arachnoid matter this is more tightly held onto the brain like a shrink wrap and thus keeps the brain nourished at all times.
BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE MENINGES FOR BASIC UNDERSTANDING
- The meninges act as a layer of protection around the brain and the central nervous system which thus protects the brain from any kind of shock, trauma, or injury.
- The meninges keeps the brain in place and acts as a cushioning against the walls of the cranium that act as a barrier against the collision that is happening while the body is at rest or in motion.
- The meninges consist of several arteries and blood vessels that keep the brain oxygenated with the regular supply of blood and nutrients that make the functioning of the brain easier as nutrients as provided timely and there is no scope of a malnourished nervous system.
