Mechanical properties and function of the spinal pia mater

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Abstract
Object. The pia mater has received little attention regarding its function in the deformation of the spinal cord under compression. In this study the mechanical properties and function of the spinal pia mater were investigated using three methods. Methods. Spinal cord segments were excised from rabbits. The elastic modulus of the pia mater was measured by performing a tensile test using specimens with the pia mater intact and ones with the pia mater stripped off. The stiffness of the spinal cord was examined by performing a compression test with specimens containing an intact pia mater and ones with a pia mater that was incised at both sides. The cross-sectional area and circumference of the spinal cord were measured on axial views of magnetic resonance images in patients with cervical disc herniations before and after surgery. The pia mater had an elastic modulus of 2300 kPa, which was 460 times higher than that of spinal cord parenchyma. By covering the parenchyma, it tripled the overall elastic modulus...