2.1 The Brain Flashcards
What are the two main divisions of the central nervous system?
brain
spinal cord
What are the divisions of the brain?
cerebrum
brainstem
diencephalon
cerebellum
Why are protective structures important for the brain?
because neurons are not replaceable
What protects the brain?
skull
meninges
cerebrospinal fluid
blood brain barrier
How many ventricles are inside of the brain?
four
What are ventricles within the brain?
cavities that are filled with CSF
What are the names of the ventricles in the brain?
two lateral
third
fourth
What is important about the fourth ventricle?
drains into the central canal of the spinal cord
What are the meninges?
three layers of connective tissue membranes that cover and protext CNS organs and enclose CSF
What is the name of the outer meninx?
dura matter
What is the middle layer of the meninx?
arachnoid meninx
What is the general description of the dura?
leathery double layered membrane
What is the general description of the arachnoid meninx?
loose layer
What separates the dura from the arachnoid meninx?
subdural space
What separates the arachnoid from the pia mater?
subarachnoid space
What is contained within the subarachnoid space?
blood vessels
CSF
What is the inner layer of the meninges?
pia mater
What is a general description of the pia mater?
thin connective tissue tightly attached to the brain
What is cerebrospinal fluid?
special fluid that is formed in the walls of the ventricles from blood plasma permeating through the choroid plexus
What is the choroid plexus?
network of blood vessels within the ventricles
