meningeal branches

(noun)

Also known as recurrent meningeal nerves, sinuvertebral nerves, or recurrent nerves of Luschka, these are a number of small nerves that branch from the spinal nerve (or the posterior ramus) near the origin of the anterior and posterior rami. They then re-enter the intervertebral foramen, and innervate the facet joints, the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disk, and the ligaments and periosteum of the spinal canal, carrying pain sensation.

Related Terms

Examples of meningeal branches in the following topics:

  • Branches of Spinal Nerves

    • The spinal nerves branch into the dorsal ramus, ventral ramus, the meningeal branches, and the rami communicantes.
    • The meningeal branches (recurrent meningeal or sinuvertebral nerves): These branch from the spinal nerve and re-enter the intervertebral foramen to serve the ligaments, dura, blood vessels, intervertebral discs, facet joints, and periosteum of the vertebrae.
    • This diagram depicts the course and branches of a typical thoracic spinal nerve.

  • Overview of the Spinal Nerves

    • Outside the vertebral column, the nerve divides into branches.
    • The meningeal branches (recurrent meningeal or sinuvertebral nerves) branch from the spinal nerve and re-enter the intervertebral foramen to serve the ligaments, dura, blood vessels, intervertebral discs, facet joints, and periosteum of the vertebrae.
    • This branch is called the medial cutaneous ramus.
    • This sensitive branch is called the posterior cutaneous ramus.
    • The lateral branches supply the erector spinae muscles.

  • Development of the Cardiovascular System

    • On the obliteration of the stapedial artery, this anastomosis enlarges and forms the internal maxillary artery; the branches of the stapedial artery are now branches of this vessel.
    • The common stem of the infraorbital and mandibular branches passes between the two roots of the auriculotemporal nerve and becomes the middle meningeal artery.
    • The original supraorbital branch of the stapedial artery is represented by the orbital branches of the middle meningeal artery.
    • The lateral branches of the aorta form the definitive renal, suprarenal, and gonadal arteries.
    • Finally, the ventral branches of the aorta consist of the vitelline arteries and umbilical arteries.

  • Vagus (X) Nerve

    • It also has some afferent fibers that innervate the inner (canal) portion of the outer ear, via the auricular branch (also known as Alderman's nerve) and part of the meninges.

  • Meninges

    • The meninges refer to the several membrane layers that encase the brain.
    • The meninges is the system of membranes that envelopes the central nervous system.
    • Other medical conditions which affect the meninges include meningitis (usually from fungal, bacterial, or viral infection) and meningiomas arising from the meninges or from meningeal carcinomatoses (tumors) formed elsewhere in the body which metastasize to the meninges.
    • This figure displays the meninges with respect to the skull and surface of the brain.
    • Distinguish between the three layers of the meninges of the central nervous system

  • Spinal Tap

    • An example of a situation requiring a lumbar puncture is when meningitis is suspected, since cerebrospinal fluid is the only reliable tool for excluding the disease.
    • The most common reason for a lumbar puncture is to collect cerebrospinal fluid in a case of suspected meningitis.
    • Infants commonly require lumbar puncture as a part of the routine workup for fever without a source, as they have a much higher risk of meningitis than older persons and do not reliably show signs of meningeal irritation.
    • Increased CSF pressure: can indicate conditions causing increased intracranial pressure, such as congestive heart failure, cerebral edema, subarachnoid hemorrhage, meningeal inflammation, purulent meningitis or tuberculous meningitis, hydrocephalus, or pseudotumor cerebri.
    • The presence of white blood cells in cerebrospinal fluid, called pleocytosis: a large number of these cells often heralds bacterial meningitis.

  • Synovial Membranes

    • The meninges is the system of membranes that envelopes the central nervous system.
    • In mammals, the meninges consist of three layers: the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater .
    • The middle layer of the meninges is the arachnoid mater, so named because of its spider web-like appearance.
    • The pia mater is the innermost layer of the meninges.
    • This figure displays the meninges with respect to the skull and surface of the brain.

  • Overview of the Spinal Cord

    • The spinal cord is protected by three layers of tissue called meninges and divided into three regions.
    • Thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves (sensory and motor) branch from the human spinal cord.

  • Body Cavity Membranes

    • The meninges is the system of membranes which envelops the central nervous system.
    • In mammals, the meninges consist of three layers: the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater .
    • The primary function of the meninges and the cerebrospinal fluid is to protect the central nervous system.
    • The middle element of the meninges is the arachnoid mater, so named because of its spider web-like appearance.
    • It is the meningeal envelope which firmly adheres to the surface of the brain and spinal cord, following the brain's minor contours (gyri and sulci).

  • Injuries to Nerves Emerging from the Brachial Plexus

    • In most cases, the nerve roots are stretched or torn from their origin, since the meningeal covering of a nerve root is thinner than the sheath enclosing the nerve.
    • Most infrequently, sudden upward pulling on an abducted arm (as when someone breaks a fall by grasping a tree branch) produces a lower brachial plexus lesion, in which the eighth cervical (C8) and first thoracic (T1) nerves are injured "either before or after they have joined to form the lower trunk.