Which layer of the meninges adheres to the dura mater and has web-like attachments?

The arachnoid mater is the layer of the meninges that adheres to the dura mater and features web-like attachments. This particular layer is situated between the dura mater and the pia mater. The arachnoid mater does not have blood vessels and is more delicate than the dura mater, while its web-like strands, known as trabeculae, connect it with the pia mater. These strands help to maintain a physical connection between the two layers and allow for the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the subarachnoid space, which lies beneath the arachnoid mater and is crucial for cushioning the brain and spinal cord.

In contrast, the pia mater, which is the innermost layer, closely follows the contours of the brain and spinal cord but does not have the web-like structure associated with the arachnoid mater. The dura mater is the outermost protective layer and is thick and durable, providing a strong protective barrier. The subarachnoid space is the area between the arachnoid and pia mater filled with cerebrospinal fluid, but it is not a layer of the meninges itself.