The structures of the CNS (brain and spinal cord) are covered by several layers of connective tissue; collectively, these connective tissue layers and the spaces between them are referred to as meninges.
Layers of the scalp, skull and brain -- Katie Ahlers -- CC BY-SA 4.0
The meninges show slight differences in the brain and spinal cord -- we will point them out at each stage.
Pia mater
The pia mater covers the brain and spinal cord.
- Soft and delicate
- Vascular
Pia mater is located right above the cerebral/cerebellar cortex, with a subpial space and a thin layer of glia limitans (see Neuroglial cells of the CNS lesson) separating them -- thus, pia mater does not come in direct contact with nerve bodies or fibers.
Pia mater contains collagen fibers (especially collagen