dura

American  

[door-uh, dyoor-uh] / ˈdʊər ə, ˈdyʊər ə /

noun

1. dura mater.

---

Etymology

Origin of dura

First recorded in 1880–85

Explanation

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."

Example Sentences

Using special mice where cells light up fluorescent green when they make IL-17, the researchers confirmed that hypertension increases IL-17 in the dura mater which is then released into the tissue.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2023

The implant is made of a stretchable “elastomer” material that mimics the dura, the membrane surrounding the brain.

From Scientific American • Sep. 1, 2023

El virus suele propagarse de esta forma, y los bebés infectados pueden acabar con una infección crónica que dura toda la vida.

From New York Times • Mar. 23, 2023

The meninges comprise three layers that surround the brain: pia, arachnoid and dura.

From Salon • Nov. 20, 2022

"Curries from our Pakistani brothers and sisters, Sudanese dura, and that whole corner is Malaysian. Baba says his jihad is against bland food."

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda