meninges

[mi-nin-jeez]

plural noun

Anatomy.

singular

meninx 

1. the three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

meninges

/ mɪˈnɪndʒɪəl, mɪˈnɪndʒiːz /

plural noun

1. the three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord See dura mater arachnoid pia mater

meninges

1. The three membranes that enclose the vertebrate brain and spinal cord: the pia mater, arachnoid, and dura mater.

meninges

1. The membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Other Word Forms

• meningeal adjective
• intermeningeal adjective
• postmeningeal adjective
• submeningeal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of meninges¹

1610–20; < New Latin < Greek mḗninges, plural of mêninx membrane

Word History and Origins

Origin of meninges¹

C17: from Greek, pl of meninx membrane

Example Sentences

Meningitis is the swelling of the meninges – the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord – and it is usually caused by a bacterial infection.

Read more on BBC

Normally, barriers exist within the protective covering of the brain, called the meninges, to prevent unwanted spillage into the brain.

Read more on Science Daily

So if you bend the neck, because the meninges are inflamed, the knees will also bend.

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

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To plan the procedure, 3D and virtual reality models were used to precisely simulate the best way to separate bones, blood vessels and meninges, or the membranes covering the brain.

Read more on Seattle Times