meninges
UK[mɪˈnɪndʒiːz]US[məˈnɪndʒiːz]
n
The three membranes (the dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater) that line the skull and vertebral canal and enclose the brain and spinal cord.
Morpheme Breakdown
meninx
es
meninx
membrane
es
plural suffix
Etymology
The word "meninges" is a direct borrowing from the plural form of the Greek anatomical term "meninx," meaning a membrane. In ancient Greek medical texts, "meninx" specifically referred to the membranes enveloping the brain. The term entered medical Latin as "meninges" to denote the collective set of these protective layers. Its journey into modern English preserves both the original Greek anatomical precision and the classical plural form, solidifying its role as the definitive scientific term for the brain and spinal cord coverings.
Analysis
Structure: meninx (membrane) + es (plural suffix)
meninx: From Greek μῆνιγξ (mēninx), meaning "membrane".
es: A plural suffix of Greek origin, used in English to form the plural of nouns borrowed from Greek ending in -nx or -x.
Examples
Inflammation of the meninges is a serious condition known as meningitis.
The cerebrospinal fluid flows in the space between the layers of the meninges.
A head injury can sometimes cause bleeding within the meninges.