dura
n. uncountablen. the tough outer layer of the brain and spinal cord. It acts like a protective shell to keep these parts safe.
n. the outermost of the three meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord. It is a tough, fibrous membrane that provides structural support and protection.
The dura covers the brain to protect it from injury.
During the surgery, the surgeon carefully separated the dura from the surrounding tissue to access the brain.
The dura mater is not merely a passive barrier; it contains blood vessels and serves as a site for the formation of the dural sinuses, which drain blood from the brain.
Ellipsis of dura mater.
Borrowing from Arabic ذُرَة (ḏura, “Indian millet”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated June 18, 2026