What is the Difference Between Cranial Dura and Spinal Dura?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The cranial dura mater and spinal dura mater are both parts of the meninges, which are responsible for protecting and supporting the brain and spinal cord. However, there are some differences between the two:
- Structure: The cranial dura mater consists of two layers, the periosteal layer and the meningeal layer. In contrast, the spinal dura mater only has the deep meningeal layer.
- Epidural Space: The cranial dura mater has an epidural space, which is absent in the spinal dura mater.
- Folds and Reflections: The cranial dura mater has folds and reflections, such as the falx cerebri, tentorium cerebelli, falx cerebelli, and diaphragma sellae. These folds are absent in the spinal dura mater.
- Location: The cranial dura mater covers the brain, while the spinal dura mater covers the spinal cord.
- Function: The cranial dura mater protects the brain, forming venous sinuses that remove blood and cerebrospinal fluid. The spinal dura mater protects the spinal cord and is attached to the tectorial membrane and posterior longitudinal ligament.
In summary, the cranial dura mater and spinal dura mater are both parts of the meninges that protect and support the brain and spinal cord, respectively. They differ in structure, the presence of an epidural space, folds and reflections, location, and function.
Comparative Table: Cranial Dura vs Spinal Dura
Here is a table comparing the differences between cranial dura and spinal dura:
Feature | Cranial Dura | Spinal Dura |
---|---|---|
Location | Covers the brain | Covers the spinal cord |
Layers | Composed of periosteal cranial dura and meningeal cranial dura | Composed of a single layer of dura mater |
Epidural Space | Present | Absent |
Folds and Reflections | Has several folds and reflections, such as falx cerebri, tentorium cerebelli, falx cerebelli, and diaphragma sellae | Absent |
Function | Protects the brain | Protects the spinal cord |
Attachment | Attached to the periosteal lining of the skull bones | Attached to the tectorial membrane and posterior longitudinal ligament |
Epidural Space | Contains several collagen fibers arranged in various directions | Contains loose connective and adipose tissues |
Innervation | Innervated by the trigeminal nerve (V1, V2, and V3) | Innervated by the sinuvertebral nerves (branches of the fourth ventricle) |
Both the cranial dura and spinal dura are meninges that provide protection and are involved in mechanical protection, support of cerebral and spinal blood vessels, and passage of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- Dura Mater of Brain vs Spinal Cord
- Brain vs Spinal Cord Meninges
- Cranial vs Spinal Nerves
- Brainstem vs Spinal Cord
- Skull vs Cranium
- Spinal Cord vs Vertebral Column
- Epidural vs Subdural
- Meningocele vs Meningomyelocele
- Spinal Cord vs Spinal Column
- Spinal Cord vs Backbone
- Medulla Oblongata vs Spinal Cord
- Cervical Thoracic vs Lumbar Vertebrae
- Cervical vs Thoracic Vertebrae
- Cerebrum vs Cerebral Cortex
- Spinal vs Epidural Anesthesia
- Dorsal vs Ventral
- Spinal Stenosis vs Spondylosis
- Foraminal Stenosis vs Spinal Stenosis
- Acrania vs Craniata