Final answer:
The meninges are a protective membrane around the CNS that contains CSF, which is produced in the ventricles, cushions the brain, and circulates nutrients and removes waste.
Step-by-step explanation:
The meninges are a three-layered membrane system that encloses and protects the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord. The three layers of the meninges are the dura mater (the outer layer), the arachnoid mater (the middle layer), and the pia mater (the inner layer that adheres to the brain and spinal cord). The space between the arachnoid and pia maters is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is produced by the choroid plexus located within the ventricles of the brain.The ventricles are a series of connected, fluid-filled cavities within the brain in which CSF is produced and flows. CSF acts as a cushion for the brain, providing mechanical protection, and serves as a conduit for nutrients and waste products. It circulates through the ventricular system, enters the subarachnoid space surrounding the CNS, and eventually reabsorbs into the bloodstream. If the production, circulation, or reabsorption of CSF is disrupted, it can lead to conditions like hydrocephalus.