Meningioma arises from which tissue?

Meningioma arises from which tissue?

• A. Brain parenchyma
• B. Meninges surrounding brain and spinal cord
• C. Ependymal lining
• D. Blood vessels

Answer: (B)

Meningiomas originate from the meninges, the protective coverings around the brain and spinal cord (specifically the arachnoid layer). This makes them extra-axial tumors that often sit attached to the dura and can show a dural tail on imaging. Because they arise from the meninges rather than the brain tissue itself, they tend to compress adjacent brain parenchyma rather than arise from it. The other tissues listed don’t give rise to meningiomas: brain parenchyma is the functional tissue of the brain (neurons and glia) where intraparenchymal tumors originate; the ependymal lining lines the ventricles and central canal, giving rise to ependymal tumors; and blood vessels give vascular tumors. Therefore the meningeal origin best fits a meningioma.

Meningiomas originate from the meninges, the protective coverings around the brain and spinal cord (specifically the arachnoid layer). This makes them extra-axial tumors that often sit attached to the dura and can show a dural tail on imaging. Because they arise from the meninges rather than the brain tissue itself, they tend to compress adjacent brain parenchyma rather than arise from it. The other tissues listed don’t give rise to meningiomas: brain parenchyma is the functional tissue of the brain (neurons and glia) where intraparenchymal tumors originate; the ependymal lining lines the ventricles and central canal, giving rise to ependymal tumors; and blood vessels give vascular tumors. Therefore the meningeal origin best fits a meningioma.