Which anatomical structure protects the brain and spinal cord?

The meninges are the three protective membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord. They consist of the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater. These layers provide critical protection against physical impacts, and they also help to contain cerebrospinal fluid, which serves as a cushion for the central nervous system. The meninges contribute to the structural integrity of the brain and spinal cord, while also playing a role in the inflammatory response and nutrient transport.

The other options, while related to the nervous system, serve different functions. Bone, for instance, provides a hard protective outer shell for the brain (the skull) and the vertebrae protect the spinal cord, but the direct protective layering around the brain and spinal cord is specifically the responsibility of the meninges. Discs, especially intervertebral discs, serve to absorb shock and provide spinal flexibility, but they do not offer direct protection to the structures housed within them. Nerves transmit signals but do not provide any structural protection to the brain or spinal cord. Thus, the meninges are the primary anatomical structures responsible for safeguarding these vital components of the central nervous system.