Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

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

On examination pus was found between the arachnoid and the pia mater.

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