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

1. a membrane (one of 3) that envelops the brain and spinal cord