Meninges

The meninges are three connective tissue membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. They consist of :

• Dura mater of brain

• Dura mater of spinal cord

• Arachnoid of brain

• Arachnoid of spinal cord

• Pia mater of brain

• Pia mater of spinal cord

The subarachnoid cisterns are localized enlargements of the subarachnoid space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater; they are associated with the meninges but are not meningeal layers themselves.