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pia mater
[ pahy-uh-mey-ter, pee-uh ]
/ ˈpaɪ ə ˈmeɪ tər, ˈpi ə /
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noun Anatomy.
the delicate, fibrous, and highly vascular membrane forming the innermost of the three coverings of the brain and spinal cord.
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Compare arachnoid (def. 6), dura mater.
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; cf. dura mater
Words nearby pia mater
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use pia mater in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for pia mater
pia mater
/ (ˈpaɪə ˈmeɪtə) /
noun
the innermost of the three membranes (meninges) that cover the brain and spinal cordSee meninges
Word Origin for pia mater
C16: from Medieval Latin, literally: pious mother, intended to translate Arabic umm raqīqah tender mother
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for pia mater
pia mater
[ pī′ə mā′tər, pē′ə mä′tər ]
The fine vascular membrane that closely envelops the brain and spinal cord under the arachnoid and the dura mater.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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