pia mater
anatomy
Quick Summary
The pia mater is the innermost of the three meninges, which are protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is a thin, vascular membrane that adheres directly to the surface of the central nervous system. This delicate tissue is pierced by blood vessels that supply the brain and spinal cord. The pia mater, along with the arachnoid mater, is known as the leptomeninges. Its primary role, as part of the meninges, is to protect the central nervous system.123
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