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 • Oct. 5, 2025

Second, an antibody was used to block the activity of T cells in the meninges.

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

Meningiomas, tumors of the meninges, are usually benign tumors that can require resection when they become symptomatic.

From Salon • Nov. 20, 2022

At the death of one an attempt to separate the other from the cadaver was made, but it was unsuccessful, the second soon dying; the operation necessitated opening the cranium and parting the meninges.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)