Bassett Collection of Stereoscopic Images of Human Anatomy

Exploration of the spinal cord and meninges in situ

Arachnoid membrane covering cauda equina

Image #33-6

KEYWORDS: Central nervous system, Lumbar region, Meninges, Vertebral column.

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Higher resolution images are available for a fee. Contact Drew Bourn, PhD, MLIS.

Exploration of the spinal cord and meninges in situ

Arachnoid membrane covering cauda equina

The dura has been cut away in such a manner that the arachnoid membrane remains intact. The filum terminale (15) appears as a white strand deep to the arachnoid. An extensive subarachnoid space surrounds nerve roots which form the cauda equina.

1 .	Mamillary process of lumbar vertebra III
2 .	Inferior articular process lumbar vertebra II
3 .	Dorsal iliocostal muscle
4 .	Arch of lumbar vertebra IV
5 .	Lumbodorsal fascia
6 .	Ligamentum flavum
7 .	Epidural space and cut margin of dura
8 .	Fibrous attachment of dura to sacrum
9 .	Cystic enlargement of dura covering roots of second sacral nerve (note resorption of neighboring bone)
10 .	Gluteus maximus muscle
11 .	Spinous process lumbar vertebra II
12 .	Branch lumbar artery
13 .	Dura mater
14 .	Arachnoid
15 .	Filum terminale (beneath arachnoid)
16 .	Root sacral nerve II
17 .	Level at which spinal subarachnoid space terminates
18 .	Filum spinal dura mater