meninges

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meninges

meninges , three membranous layers of connective tissue that envelop the brain and spinal cord (see nervous system ). The outermost layer, or dura mater, is extremely tough and is fused with the membranous lining of the skull. In the brain it forms a vertical sheet that separates the cerebral hemispheres and a horizontal sheet that lies between the cerebrum and the cerebellum. The thin arachnoid membrane lies below and in close contact with the dura mater. The innermost layer, or pia mater, is in direct contact with the brain and spinal cord and contains the blood vessels that supply them. The pia mater and arachnoid membrane are separated by the subarachnoid space containing the cerebrospinal fluid, which carries nutrients, absorbs the impact of shocks, and acts as a barrier to disease organisms. Thus, the meninges provide a fluid-filled jacket for the protection of neural tissues and allow for the flexing and twisting of the vertebral column about the spinal cord.

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meninges

A Dictionary of Biology | 2004 | Â© A Dictionary of Biology 2004, originally published by Oxford University Press 2004. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

meninges The three membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord of vertebrates: the pia mater, the arachnoid membrane, and the outer dura mater. The pia and arachnoid are separated by the subarachnoid space, which contains cerebrospinal fluid.

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A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Â© A Dictionary of Zoology 1999, originally published by Oxford University Press 1999. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

meninges Tissue that encloses the central nervous system. In Mammalia the meninges are the dura mater, arachnoid layer, and the pia mater.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "meninges." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 28 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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