meninges /minin″jēz/ [Gk, meninx, membrane] , the three membranes enclosing the brain and the spinal cord, comprising the dura mater, the pia mater, and the arachnoid membrane. The pia mater and the arachnoid can become inflamed by bacterial meningitis, causing serious complications that may be life-threatening. −meningeal, adj.
