Dura Mater and Meningitis: The Dura Is the Outermost Meningeal Layer

False. The dura mater is the outermost, toughest layer of the meninges. The meningeal layers from outside to inside are:

1. Dura mater (periosteal + meningeal layers)
2. Arachnoid mater (avascular, spiderweb-like)
3. Subarachnoid space (contains CSF)
4. Pia mater (delicate, adherent to brain surface)

Meningitis is inflammation of the leptomeninges (arachnoid and pia) and subarachnoid space. The dura can be involved secondarily (e.g., parameningeal infection, subdural empyema) but is not the primary site of meningitis.