Definition

1. Noun:
   • A tough, fibrous membrane: The "dura mater" is the outermost and toughest of the three meninges, the membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord. It provides a protective layer.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The dura mater is a crucial protective layer for the central nervous system.
  • A tear in the dura mater can lead to a cerebrospinal fluid leak.
  • The surgeon carefully incised the dura mater to access the brain tissue.

Advanced Usage

• "Dura mater graft": A surgical procedure where a piece of dura mater is used to repair a defect.
  • A cadaveric dura mater graft was used in the reconstructive surgery.

Variants and Related Words

• Dural (adj): Pertaining to or of the dura mater.
  • The patient experienced dural thickening.
• Pachymeninx (n): An alternative, less common anatomical term for the dura mater.
• Leptomeninges (n): Refers to the two inner meninges (the arachnoid mater and pia mater), distinct from the dura mater.

Synonyms

• Pachymeninx: The anatomical synonym for the dura mater.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "dura mater" is a fixed anatomical term. It is always used in this specific medical/biological context to refer to this particular membrane. The phrase itself is Latin, meaning "tough mother," reflecting its protective nature.

Noun

1. the outermost (and toughest) of the 3 meninges