Final answer:
The meninges are composed of three layers, arranged from the most superficial to the deepest as the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater, providing protection to the brain and spinal cord.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 3 protective tissue layers called the meninges lie in the following order starting with the most superficial:
- Dura Mater
- Arachnoid Mater
- Pia Mater
The dura mater is the thick, outermost layer that forms a strong protective sheath over the entire brain and spinal cord. The middle layer is the arachnoid mater, a membrane of thin fibrous tissue that forms a loose sac around the central nervous system (CNS) and contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Directly adjacent to the surface of the CNS is the pia mater, which is a thin fibrous membrane that follows closely the convolutions of the brain.