meninges

[ mi-nin-jeez ]

plural noun

, Anatomy.

, singular me·ninx [mee, -ningks].

1. the three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Compare arachnoid ( def 6 ), dura mater, pia mater.

meninges

/ mɪˈnɪndʒɪəl; mɪˈnɪndʒiːz /

plural noun

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

meninges

/ mə-nĭn′jēz /

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 .

Derived Forms

• meningeal, adjective

Other Words From

• me·nin·ge·al [mi-, nin, -jee-, uh, l], adjective
• inter·me·ninge·al adjective
• postme·ninge·al adjective
• subme·ninge·al 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

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

From Science Daily

It’s often a meningoencephalitis—which is a serious inflammation and swelling of both the brain and the meninges.

From Scientific American

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

From Salon

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.

From Seattle Times

Most migraine researchers think that the pain of an attack is generated by increased firing of the trigeminal nerves, which carry sensory information from the face and the meninges that sheathe the brain.

From Nature