What structure protects the brain beneath the skull and the spinal cord beneath the vertebral column?

The meninges are a set of protective membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord, offering crucial support and protection. This three-layered structure consists of the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater. The outermost layer, the dura mater, is tough and provides a protective barrier against physical impacts. The middle layer, the arachnoid mater, contains cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions the central nervous system and helps to absorb shocks. The innermost layer, the pia mater, closely adheres to the surface of the brain and spinal cord, providing additional protection and support.

Understanding the role of the meninges is vital in the context of public health as disturbances or infections in these structures can lead to conditions like meningitis, which has significant health implications. While the cerebrum is a major part of the brain involved in various functions such as thinking and movement, it does not serve as a protective layer. The myelin coating is crucial for the efficient transmission of nerve impulses within the nervous system, but it does not perform the protective roles that the meninges do. The occipital lobes are specific regions of the cerebrum primarily involved in visual processing and do not provide structural protection for the brain or