dura mater is the ______ layer of the meninges.
LectureNotes said dura mater is the ______ layer of the meninges.
Answer:
The dura mater is the outermost layer of the meninges. The meninges are the protective layers that surround the brain and spinal cord, consisting of three layers:
-
Dura Mater:
- The word “dura” comes from the Latin word for “hard,” which is appropriate as it is the toughest and most durable of the three layers.
- It is a thick, dense, and fibrous membrane that provides the most external layer of protection.
- The dura mater consists of two layers: the periosteal layer, which is attached to the inner surface of the skull, and the meningeal layer, which lies beneath and continues down the spinal cord.
-
Arachnoid Mater:
- The middle layer, named for its web-like appearance.
-
Pia Mater:
- The innermost layer that is closely adherent to the surface of the brain and spinal cord.
The dura mater helps to protect the central nervous system from external damage, supports the brain structures, and contains the sinuses that carry venous blood from the brain back to the heart.
Final Answer:
The dura mater is the outermost layer of the meninges.