meninx
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun A meninx is one of the three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Collectively, these three membranes are known as the meninges.
Usage
The word "meninx" is a singular, technical term used primarily in medical and anatomical contexts. The plural form is meninges.
Examples
- The inflammation of a meninx is a serious medical condition.
- The three layers of the meninx provide crucial protection to the central nervous system.
- A doctor must examine the meninx for signs of infection.
Advanced Usage
- The term is almost exclusively used in its plural form, meninges, to refer to the entire three-layered system (the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater).
- It is a foundational term in neurology, neurosurgery, and pathology.
Variants and Related Words
- Meninges (plural noun): The collective term for the three membranes (dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater) that envelop the brain and spinal cord.
- Meningeal (adjective): Of or relating to the meninges (e.g., meningeal arteries).
- Meningitis (noun): A disease characterized by inflammation of the meninges.
Synonyms
- Meningeal membrane
Notes on Meaning
There is only one core meaning for "meninx": it is the singular form for one of the three layers of the meninges. It is not used in idioms or phrasal verbs due to its highly specialized anatomical nature.
Noun
- a membrane (one of 3) that envelops the brain and spinal cord