The inner layer of the meninges that nourishes nerve tissue is which?

• A. Subdural Space
• B. Dura Mater
• C. Pia Mater
• D. Arachnoid

Answer: (C)

Nourishment for brain tissue comes from vessels in the innermost meningeal layer, the pia mater. This delicate membrane clings tightly to the brain’s surface, following every groove and contour, and it contains small arteries and capillaries that deliver blood supply directly to neural tissue. Because of this close contact with the brain, the pia mater is the layer responsible for providing nutrients and oxygen to nerve cells.

The outer protective layer, the dura mater, is a tough membrane that stabilizes the brain. The middle layer, the arachnoid, lies between them and forms the space through which cerebrospinal fluid circulates (the subarachnoid space). The subdural space is not a distinct tissue layer but a potential space that can open up under certain conditions.