The root Mening- refers to which anatomical layer?

The root Mening- refers to which anatomical layer?

• A. Membrane
• B. Nerve
• C. Muscle
• D. Skin

Answer: (A)

Understanding medical word roots involves knowing what each root refers to in the body. The root mening- points to the meninges—the protective coverings around the brain and spinal cord. These coverings are membranes, not nerves, muscles, or skin. The meninges have three layers: the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater, all functioning as protective membranes. That’s why the best answer is membrane. For contrast, other roots refer to different tissues: neur- for nerves, my- or sarc- for muscle, and derm- or cutane- for skin. A term like meningitis illustrates this root in use, describing inflammation of those membranes.

Understanding medical word roots involves knowing what each root refers to in the body. The root mening- points to the meninges—the protective coverings around the brain and spinal cord. These coverings are membranes, not nerves, muscles, or skin. The meninges have three layers: the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater, all functioning as protective membranes. That’s why the best answer is membrane. For contrast, other roots refer to different tissues: neur- for nerves, my- or sarc- for muscle, and derm- or cutane- for skin. A term like meningitis illustrates this root in use, describing inflammation of those membranes.