Chapter 13 - Section 13.1 - Study Guide - Assess Your Learning Outcomes - Page 504: 7

The pia mater, the innermost layer of the meninges that surrounds the spinal cord, gives rise to two types of ligaments: the denticulate ligaments and the filum terminale. 1. **Denticulate Ligaments**: - **Location**: Denticulate ligaments are thin, triangular-shaped structures that extend laterally from the surface of the spinal cord to the inner surface of the dura mater. - **Purpose**: The primary purpose of the denticulate ligaments is to provide stability and support to the spinal cord within the vertebral canal. They help anchor the spinal cord in place, preventing excessive movement or displacement. Additionally, these ligaments help to suspend the spinal cord within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the subarachnoid space, which helps protect it from sudden jolts or shocks. 2. **Filum Terminale**: - **Location**: The filum terminale is a long, thin strand of connective tissue that extends from the tip of the conus medullaris (the tapered end of the spinal cord) down through the vertebral canal, anchoring to the coccyx (tailbone) at the base of the spine. - **Purpose**: The primary purpose of the filum terminale is to provide longitudinal support and stability to the spinal cord within the vertebral canal. It prevents excessive movement of the spinal cord within the spinal canal. The filum terminale is composed of two parts: the filum terminale internum, which is an extension of the pia mater and runs from the conus medullaris to the cauda equina (a bundle of spinal nerves), and the filum terminale externum, which extends from the cauda equina to the coccyx and is a non-neural extension. Together, these ligaments play essential roles in protecting and supporting the spinal cord within the vertebral canal, ensuring its proper functioning and preventing damage due to movement or displacement.

The pia mater, the innermost layer of the meninges that surrounds the spinal cord, gives rise to two types of ligaments: the denticulate ligaments and the filum terminale. 1. **Denticulate Ligaments**: - **Location**: Denticulate ligaments are thin, triangular-shaped structures that extend laterally from the surface of the spinal cord to the inner surface of the dura mater. - **Purpose**: The primary purpose of the denticulate ligaments is to provide stability and support to the spinal cord within the vertebral canal. They help anchor the spinal cord in place, preventing excessive movement or displacement. Additionally, these ligaments help to suspend the spinal cord within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the subarachnoid space, which helps protect it from sudden jolts or shocks. 2. **Filum Terminale**: - **Location**: The filum terminale is a long, thin strand of connective tissue that extends from the tip of the conus medullaris (the tapered end of the spinal cord) down through the vertebral canal, anchoring to the coccyx (tailbone) at the base of the spine. - **Purpose**: The primary purpose of the filum terminale is to provide longitudinal support and stability to the spinal cord within the vertebral canal. It prevents excessive movement of the spinal cord within the spinal canal. The filum terminale is composed of two parts: the filum terminale internum, which is an extension of the pia mater and runs from the conus medullaris to the cauda equina (a bundle of spinal nerves), and the filum terminale externum, which extends from the cauda equina to the coccyx and is a non-neural extension. Together, these ligaments play essential roles in protecting and supporting the spinal cord within the vertebral canal, ensuring its proper functioning and preventing damage due to movement or displacement.