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The arachnoid mater, commonly referred to only as [arachnoid], is one of the three meninges that surround, cover, and protect the spinal cord and the brain. The first word is Greek, from [arachne] meaning "spider" and the suffix [-oid], meaning "similar to". The second word is Latin, from [mater], meaning "mother". The name arachnoid refers to the fact that in a fresh specimen the arachnoid mater looks quite like a spider's web. See the accompanying image. Click on the image for a larger version. Embryologically, the arachnoid mater and the pia mater are considered to have a common origin, and are called the leptomeninges (thin meninges). These two membranes, internal to the dura mater, are very thin and separated by the subarachnoid space, which is filled with cerebrospinal fluid. |
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| The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced by the choroid plexuses in the ventricular system of the brain, to then pass externally into the subarachnoid space. Excess production of CSF is one of the causes of hydrocephalus. |
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