Which characteristic describes the dura mater?

The dura mater is indeed characterized by being anchored to the cranial bones' periosteum. This dense, fibrous membrane forms the outermost layer of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Its close attachment to the periosteum provides both protection and structural support for the brain, helping to maintain its position within the skull.

The dura mater has a unique architecture that includes two primary layers: an outer periosteal layer, which is firmly attached to the inner surface of the skull, and an inner meningeal layer, which reflects inward to form structures such as the falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli. This anchoring ensures that the brain is held securely, preventing excessive movement that could lead to injury.

Understanding the anchorage of the dura mater is essential for comprehending how it protects the central nervous system. The other characteristics, while they describe aspects of the meninges, do not accurately apply to the dura mater in the context given. For example, the dura mater does not follow the contours of the brain closely; rather, it maintains a more uniform, flat shape. Additionally, it consists of two layers rather than being a single layer surrounding the spinal cord, which is more descriptive of the arachno