What are meninges?

• A. Three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
• B. A network of blood vessels in the brain
• C. The layers of the skull
• D. The outer covering of the brain

Answer: (A)

Meninges are three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, providing cushioning, containment for cerebrospinal fluid, and passage for blood vessels. They consist of the dura mater (the tough outer layer), the arachnoid mater (the web-like middle layer), and the pia mater (the delicate inner layer that closely follows the brain’s surface). This arrangement creates spaces such as the subdural and subarachnoid spaces, which help protect the CNS from injury and support vascular and CSF systems. The other options refer to structures that are either not membranes (a network of brain vessels) or to bones (the skull) or to an overly simplistic description that doesn’t capture the three-layer membrane system.