A18 - Headaches and Meninges Flashcards
What is the function of the brain?
control centre for the nervous systems and endocrine function
What are the grooves on the brain?
sulcus
What are the bumps on the brain?
Gyrus
What is the frontal lobe of the bone for?
decision making
What lobe of the brain is for hearing?
temporal lobe
The parietal lobe helps us to….
associate
Where is the visual cortex located?
in the occipital lobe
What makes up the brain stem?
pons and medulla which continues inferiorly to form teh spinal cord
What is the function of the cerebellum?
control movement and balance
What are the two hemispheres of the brain separated by?
longitudinal fissure
What allows communication between the two hemispheres?
corpus callosum
What feature of the pterion makes it vulnerable to fracture?
it is the thinnest part of the skull
What lies deep to the pterion which a fracture can damage?
middle meningeal artery
a fracture can tear this and cause an extra dural haemorrhage
How does the middle meningeal artery enter the skull?
foramen spinosum
What is the protective layer covering the brain and spinal cord?
meninges
What are the three layers of meninges
dura mater - outer periosteal layer and inner meningeal layer
arachnoid mater
pia mater
Where is the middle meningeal artery found in relation to the dura mater?
between the inner and outer layers
What supplies the dura mater?
CN V
How is the flax cerebri/tentorium cerebelli formed?
when the inner meningeal dura matter folds in on itself
How are dural venous sinus formed?
when the inner meningeal layer separates form the periosteal layer, these are the channels of venous blood flow
How many ventricles does the brain have?
4 - 2 lateral ventricles
3rd ventricle
4th ventricle
What is the function of suparachnoid space?
space in which the CSF flows that contains arachnoid granules?
What is the feature in the subarachoid space which resorbs CSF?
arachnoid granules
When does the spinal cord and subarachnoid space end?
spinal cord - L2
subarachnoid space - S2
What is excessive production or inadequate drainage of CFS?
Hydrocephaly
What is a lumbar puncture to sample CSF in the suspected case of Meningitis?
Spinal tap?
Describe the features of extra dural bleeding?
- between the bone and dura
- middle meningeal artery
- trauma to pterion
Describe the features of sub dural bleeding
- separates dura form the arachnoid
- cerebral veins
- falls in elderly/those with alcohol problems
Describe the features of sub-arachnoid bleeding?
- into subarachnoid space where CSF is contained
- circle of willis
- congenital aneurysm
What is meningitis?
inflammation in the brain caused by inflammation of meninges
What is tumous in CN VIII
acoustic neuroma
Describe the flow of venous blood via the dura sinuses
inferior sagittal sinus → straight sinus → confluence of sinuses → transverse sinus
superior sagittal sinus → confluence of sinuses → transverse sinus
cavernous sinus → superior petrosal sinus → transverse sinus
then all follow transverse sinus→ sigmoidal sinus → internal jugular foramen
Descibe the circle of willis
the vertebral arteries enter the cavity via the foramen magnum where the anastome to form the basilar artery
this branches off to the posterior cerebral arteries (2)
the posterior communicating arteries (2)
2 middle cerebral arteries
2 internal carotid arteries
anterior cerebral arteries (2)
anterior communicating arteries (2)
