Subarachnoidalraum

The subarachnoid space is the area between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater, two of the meninges that cover the brain and spinal cord. This space is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which acts as a cushion, protecting the central nervous system from physical shock. The subarachnoid space is also a crucial pathway for blood vessels supplying the brain. It is a continuous cavity within the skull and vertebral column. Within the brain, the subarachnoid space widens in certain areas to form ventricles, which are also filled with CSF. The CSF within this space is produced by the choroid plexuses in the ventricles and circulates through the subarachnoid space before being reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Disruptions to the subarachnoid space, such as bleeding (subarachnoid hemorrhage) or infection (meningitis), can have serious neurological consequences.