The tough, fibrous outermost membrane of the three meninges that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It forms a protective barrier and contains venous sinuses that drain blood from the brain.
From Latin 'dura' meaning 'hard' and 'mater' meaning 'mother.' Medieval anatomists called the meninges 'mothers' because they nurture and protect the brain like a mother protects her child.
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