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dura

/ˈdurə/
IPA guide

Other forms: duras

There are three protective layers surrounding your brain and the outermost, toughest one is called the dura.

Your entire nervous system is protected in several ways, including the meninges, membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord. The dura is particularly important because it keeps the fluid that cushions your brain in place. An injury to the dura means the possibility that this fluid might leak. An injury known as a subdural hematoma is almost like a bruise that occurs just beneath the dura. In Latin, dura means "hard or thick."

Definitions of dura
  1. noun
    the outermost (and toughest) of the 3 meninges
    synonyms: dura mater
    see moresee less
    type of:
    meninges, meninx
    a membrane (one of 3) that envelops the brain and spinal cord
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