American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What tissue type primarily composes the meninges?

1. Epithelial Tissue

2. Connective Tissue

3. Muscle Tissue

4. Nervous Tissue

The correct answer is: Connective Tissue

The meninges are protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, and they are primarily composed of connective tissue. This tissue type is vital in providing support and stability to the central nervous system. The meninges have three distinct layers: the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater, each made primarily of connective tissue. This composition allows the meninges to effectively shield the nervous tissue from mechanical injury, as well as to contain cerebrospinal fluid that nourishes and cushions the brain and spinal cord. While epithelial tissue serves a variety of functions, such as covering surfaces and lining cavities, it does not provide the structural support characteristic of connective tissue. Muscle tissue is involved in movement and contraction, and nervous tissue is primarily responsible for transmitting signals throughout the body, neither of which are the primary components of the meninges. Therefore, the understanding of the meninges' composition highlights the crucial role of connective tissue in protecting the delicate structures of the central nervous system.