The term dura refers to the leathery outer-most of three membranous meninges (men) that encapsulate the brain (BRN) and the spinal cord (SPC) in the human, macaque, rat and mouse ( Swanson-2015 ). The others are the arachnoid (arac) and the pia (pia). They are not part of the brain but provide a fluid-filled cover that cushions the brain against a traumatic blow to the head ( Carpenter-1983, Neuronames ). It is found in the human, macaque, rat and mouse ( Neuronames ). Updated 5 Dec 2025.