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pia mater

American  
[pahy-uh mey-ter, pee-uh] / ˈpaɪ ə ˈmeɪ tər, ˈpi ə /

noun

Anatomy.
  1. the delicate, fibrous, and highly vascular membrane forming the innermost of the three coverings of the brain and spinal cord.


pia mater British  
/ ˈpaɪə ˈmeɪtə /

noun

  1. the innermost of the three membranes (meninges) that cover the brain and spinal cord See meninges

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pia mater Scientific  
/ pīəmātər,pēəmätər /
  1. The fine vascular membrane that closely envelops the brain and spinal cord under the arachnoid and the dura mater.


Etymology

Origin of pia mater

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin: literally, “pious mother,” erroneous translation of Arabic umm raqīqah “tender mother,” Arabic umm “mother” also serving as an indicator of relationship between things; dura mater ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This is located in a region termed the meninges, which covers the CNS and contains membrane layers called the dura mater, arachnoid and pia mater.

From Nature

Pertaining to a thin membrane of the brain and spinal cord, between the dura mater and pia mater.

From Project Gutenberg

Microscopical Examination.—In the pia mater perhaps a little increase of cells; meninges of brain otherwise normal.

From Project Gutenberg

Whose skull Jove cram with brains!—for here he comes, one of thy kin, has a most weak pia mater.

From Project Gutenberg

In this disease, the pia mater, arachnoid membrane, or the brain itself, may be inflamed.

From Project Gutenberg