ARACHNOIDEA Meaning and
Definition
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Arachnoidea is a term used in anatomy and medicine to refer to a thin, delicate membrane that is part of the meninges, the protective layers that surround the brain and spinal cord. The arachnoidea is the middle layer of the meninges, situated between the dura mater (outer layer) and the pia mater (inner layer).
The word "arachnoidea" is derived from the Greek word "arakhne," meaning spider, and "eidos," meaning form or shape. This name was given to the membrane due to its web-like appearance. The arachnoidea is composed of fibrous tissue and is responsible for protecting the central nervous system from external trauma and shock absorption. It also helps in the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid, which nourishes and protects the brain and spinal cord.
The arachnoidea is a highly vascularized membrane and contains numerous blood vessels, ensuring the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the underlying brain and spinal cord tissues. It is composed of a network of collagen and elastic fibers, with the latter providing its flexibility and resilience.
In certain medical conditions, such as arachnoiditis or subarachnoid hemorrhage, the arachnoidea may become inflamed or damaged, leading to symptoms like headache, back pain, or neurological deficits. Understanding the structure and function of the arachnoidea is crucial for diagnosing and treating these conditions.
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• A delicate fibrous membrane forming the middle of the three coverings of the brain (a. encephali) and of the spinal cord (a. spinalis); it is closely applied to the dura mater, separated only by the subdural cavity, but between it and the pia mater there is in places a considerable space, the cavum subarachnoidale.
• A group of Arthropoda which includes the spiders, mites, and ticks.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ARACHNOIDEA
- zrachnoidea
- srachnoidea
- wrachnoidea
- qrachnoidea
- aeachnoidea
- adachnoidea
- afachnoidea
- atachnoidea
- a5achnoidea
- a4achnoidea
- arzchnoidea
- arschnoidea
- arwchnoidea
- arqchnoidea
- araxhnoidea
- aravhnoidea
- arafhnoidea
- aradhnoidea
- aracgnoidea
Etymology of ARACHNOIDEA
The word "Arachnoidea" is derived from the Greek term "arachnē", which means "spider" or "spider's web". In Greek mythology, Arachne was a talented weaver who challenged the goddess Athena to a contest and was subsequently transformed into a spider. The suffix "-oid" in "Arachnoidea" denotes "resembling" or "like". Therefore, "Arachnoidea" can be translated as "resembling a spider" or "spider-like". This term is often used to refer to the arachnoid mater, one of the three protective layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord, which has a web-like appearance.
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