meninges

American  

[mi-nin-jeez] / mɪˈnɪn dʒiz /

plural noun

Anatomy.

singular

meninx

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

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meninges British  

/ mɪˈnɪndʒɪəl, mɪˈnɪndʒiːz /

plural noun

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

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meninges Scientific  

/ mə-nĭn′jēz /

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

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meninges Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of meninges

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

From BBC • Dec. 1, 2025

Dr. Iadecola and his team are now looking to connect the dots between the activation of immune cells in the meninges and decreased cognitive function.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2023

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

From Scientific American • May 22, 2023

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

From Salon • Nov. 20, 2022

On the 'post-mortem' examination, a remarkable thickness of the meninges was found on almost the whole of the left lobe of the brain.

From The Dog by Youatt, William