meninges

/məˈnɪndʒiz/

The protective membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord are called meninges. Your meninges do an important job — helping to keep your nervous system safe from harm.

The illness known as meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges that's caused by a viral or bacterial infection. This condition can be serious because of how close the brain is to the meninges and how vital they are for protecting it. The Greek root, meninx, means "membrane."

Definitions of meninges

1. noun

   a membrane (one of 3) that envelops the brain and spinal cord
   synonyms: meninx

   types:

   leptomeninges

   the two innermost layers of the meninges; cerebrospinal fluid circulates between these innermost layers

   dura, dura mater

   the outermost (and toughest) of the 3 meninges

   arachnoid, arachnoid membrane

   the middle of the 3 meninges

   pia mater

   the highly vascular innermost of the 3 meninges

   type of:

   membrane, tissue layer

   a pliable sheet of tissue that covers or lines or connects the organs or cells of animals or plants