pia mater

[ pahy-uh-mey-ter, pee-uh ]

nounAnatomy.
  1. the delicate, fibrous, and highly vascular membrane forming the innermost of the three coverings of the brain and spinal cord.

Origin of pia mater

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin: literally, “pious mother,” erroneous translation of Arabic umm raqīqah “tender mother,” Arabic umm “mother” also serving as an indicator of relationship between things; cf. dura mater

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How to use pia mater in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pia mater

pia mater

/ (ˈpaɪə ˈmeɪtə) /


noun
  1. the innermost of the three membranes (meninges) that cover the brain and spinal cord: See meninges

Origin of pia mater

1
C16: from Medieval Latin, literally: pious mother, intended to translate Arabic umm raqīqah tender mother

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for pia mater

pia mater

[ ə mātər, pēə mätər ]


  1. The fine vascular membrane that closely envelops the brain and spinal cord under the arachnoid and the dura mater.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.