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The pia mater: a comprehensive review of literature

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Abstract

Introduction

The pia mater has received less attention in the literature compared to the dura and arachnoid maters. However, its presence as a direct covering of the nervous system and direct relation to the blood vessels gives it a special importance in neurosurgery.

Method

A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to study all that we could find relating to the pia mater, including history, macro- and microanatomy, embryology, and a full description of the related structures.

Conclusion

The pia mater has an important anatomic position, rich history, complicated histology and embryology, and a significant contribution to a number of other structures that may stabilize and protect the nervous system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neurological Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA

    Nimer Adeeb, Martin M. Mortazavi & Christoph J. Griessenauer

  2. Division of Neurological Surgery, The Children’s Hospital of Alabama, Birmingham, USA

    Aman Deep, Koichi Watanabe, Mohammadali M. Shoja, Marios Loukas & R. Shane Tubbs

Authors
  1. Nimer Adeeb
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  2. Martin M. Mortazavi
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  3. Aman Deep
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  4. Christoph J. Griessenauer
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  5. Koichi Watanabe
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  6. Mohammadali M. Shoja
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  7. Marios Loukas
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  8. R. Shane Tubbs
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Correspondence to R. Shane Tubbs.

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Adeeb, N., Mortazavi, M.M., Deep, A. et al. The pia mater: a comprehensive review of literature. Childs Nerv Syst 29, 1803–1810 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-013-2044-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-013-2044-5

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