- The meningeal layer folds up to form dural infoldings that divide the cranial cavity into different compartments:
- Meninges
- The brain and spinal cord are enclosed in three protective membranes called meninges.
- From without inwards these are:
- (a) dura mater, (b) arachnoid mater, and (c) pia mater.
- The dura mater is mesodermal in origin while arachnoid and pia mater are ectodermal in origin (derived from neural crests).

