The Meninges of Brain and Spinal Cord The spinal cord and brain are surrounded by three membranes the meninges. Named from the outside inward they are the dura mater, arachnoid, and pia materThe Meninges of Brain and Spinal Cord ◼ The spinal cord and brain are surrounded by three membranes, the meninges. Named from the outside inward they are the dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater