Basic Neuroanatomy Flashcards

1
Q

macroglia

A

astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and ependymal cells

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2
Q

glial cells

A

classified as macroglia and microglia
provide support and protection for neurons
outnumber neurons 10 to 1 in the central nervous system

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3
Q

astrocytes

A

largest glial cell

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4
Q

astrocyte support functions

A

regulates interstitial fluid
modulates signals that regulate blood flow in response to neuronal activity
provides structural support; astrocytes are essential components of the blood brain barrier and of glial-limiting membranes (aka glial limitans) that line the pia mater and parenchymal vasculature
provides nutritional support via glycogen storage
protects against the death of neurons by activating antioxidant pathways

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5
Q

astrocyte enzyme

A

glutamate synthase

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6
Q

glutamate synthase

A

important for the removal of excess glutamate and GABA from synapses
also plays a role in the detoxification of ammonia

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7
Q

astrocyte angiogenic factors

A

VEGF

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8
Q

VEGF

A

decreases the stability of the blood-brain barrier with inflammatory conditions and CNS tumors

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9
Q

immunohistochemical staining to identify astrocytes

A

stain for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)

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10
Q

glial fibrillary acid proteins (GFAP)

A

make up intracellular intermediate filaments located in astrocytic processes

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11
Q

reactive astrocytes

A

become reactive and hypertrophic from injury, infection, or chronic neurodegeneration
upregulate GFAP, proliferate, and form a glial scar that surrounds damaged CNS tissue

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12
Q

oligodendrocytes

A

responsible for the formation of myelin in the central nervous system

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13
Q

myelin

A

provides electrical insulation that allows for saltatory conduction, the speed of which is determined by the length of the internodal myelin segments. larger axonal diameters conduct faster than smaller diameters

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14
Q

identify myelinated fibers on microscope with

A

Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining
lack or paucity of LFB staining can suggest demyelinating disease

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15
Q

leukodystrophy and oligodendrocyte

A

typically involve metabolic and lysosomal pathways that are necessary for normal oligodendrocyte function

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16
Q

progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and oligodendrocytes

A

likely involves lytic infection of oligodendrocytes to induce demyelination

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17
Q

oligodendroglioma

A

primary brain tumors
classic ‘chicken wire’ appearance on histopathology and fried egg appearance

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18
Q

astrocyte-oligodendrocyte crosstalk

A

communication occurs by direct cell-cell gap junctions, as well as secreted signaling molecules
importance of astrocyte-oligodendrocyte communication is made apparent in primary astrocytopathies such as Alexander disease and osmotic demyelination syndrome

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19
Q

Alexander disease

A

rare leukodystrophy caused by mutations in GFAP gene resulting in accumulation of abnormal filaments (Rosenthal fibers) in astrocytes leading to oligodendrocyte death and demyelination

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20
Q

Infantile Alexander Disease

A

presents with megalencephaly, seizures, spasticity, and developmental delay

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21
Q

osmotic demyleination syndrome

A

astrocyte death is observed before oligodendrocyte death and demyelination

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22
Q

ependymal cells

A

produces and facilitates the movement of CSF
lines the ventricles and central canal of the spinal cord
resembles the cuboidal or columnar epithelium with some cilia and microvilli on histopathology

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23
Q

ependymal cells on histopathology

A

resembles the cuboidal and columnar epithelium with some cilia and microvilli

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24
Q

microglia

A

primary immune cell of the central nervous system
- responsible for antigen presentation
- activates in response to tissue damage and ischemic injury. once activated, becomes a motile, phagocytic cell (adept for neuronophagia) which forms reactive oxygen species and secretes cytokines and proteases

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25
Q

microglia derived from

A

smallest and rarest glial cell
derived from bone marrow/monocytes and enter the CNS in the perinatal period
- all other glial cells and neuronal cells are derived from neural tube cells

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26
Q

neuronal cells

A

responsible for receiving, integrating, and propagating information to other cells

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27
Q

parts of neuronal cells

A

dendrites
cell body
axons

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28
Q

dendrites

A

receive information from other neurons at synapses
changes in dendritic spines are critical for neural plasticity that occurs during development and learning

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29
Q

cell body

A

the main synthetic and trophic center of the cell, it contains the nucleus and most organelles
easily identified by a large central and euchromatic nucleus with a prominent nucleolus
basophilic clumps of polyribosomes are called Nissl bodies

30
Q

Nissl bodies

A

basophilic clumps of polyribosomes

31
Q

axons

A

conducts information to muscles, glands, and neurons
axons terminate at synapses

32
Q

pyramidal cells

A

prototype cerebral neuron, present in the cortex and hippocampus, with large triangular cell bodies

33
Q

stellate cells

A

described as GABAergic inhibitory interneurons that control Purkinje cell activity in the cerebellum

34
Q

Betz cells

A

upper motor neuron cells that are the largest neurons of the cerebral cortex
- predominant neurons affected by motor neuron disease, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

35
Q

Purkinje cells

A

large distinct neurons in the cerebellum with a prominent pink cell body and extensive dendritic tree
these degenerate in various cerebellar degeneration syndromes (e.g. alcohol, chronic phenytoin use, or anti-Yo paraneoplastic syndromes)

36
Q

identify neurons on microscope slides

A

silver staining, which impregnate neurofilaments

37
Q

intracellular neurofibrillary tangles

A

suggest a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease

38
Q

Wallerian degeneration

A

caused by severe damage of the axons of the nerves
axonal fibers distal to the area of injury degenerate, while proximal fibers survive

39
Q

neurofibrillary tangles

A

tend to occur in the amygdala, hippocampus, and temporal association cortices

40
Q

senile (amyloid) plaques

A

tend to occur in the neocortex of the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes

41
Q

neuron action potential

A
42
Q

blood brain barrier

A

highly selective barrier that maintains CNS homeostasis
CNS microvasculature contains continuous non-fenestrated blood vessels that tightly regulate the flow of proteins, ions, and cells between blood and parenchyma and is responsible for the influx of nutrients and the efflux of waste, toxins, and drugs

43
Q

integrity of the blood brain barrier

A

depends on close apposition of astrocytic endfeet to blood capillaries, endothelial cells, and a thick basement membrane
- endothelial cells form the inner walls of the blood vessel and create tight junctions which function as a fairly impermeable barrier. transport occurs via either active or passive transport

44
Q

simple diffusion of blood brain barrier

A

gases (CO2, O2), water, and non-polar, small, lipophilic molecules (ethanol, nicotine, diazepam)

45
Q

transport through blood brain barrier

A

larger, polar, and/or hydrophilic molecules such as glucose, electrolytes, and amino acids

46
Q

aquaporin 4

A

channels targeted in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) are present in astrocytic foot processes

47
Q

pericytes and smooth muscle cells

A

integral neighboring cells of the blood brain barrier

48
Q

damage to the blood brain barrier causes

A

can occur secondary to ischemic, traumatic, inflammatory, infectious, or metabolic derangements and leads to vasogenic edema

49
Q

cytotoxic edema

A

results from cellular swelling, membrane breakdown, and cell death

50
Q

vasogenic edema and cytotoxic edema

A

sometimes seen together. in the case of ischemic stroke, cytotoxic edema is seen in the hyperacute/acute phase, but vasogenic edema due to consequent damage to the blood-brain barrier can develop as soon as 6+ hours later, and reaches its peak at 1-2 days post-insult

51
Q

areas that lack a blood-brain barrier

A

area postrema
pineal gland
posterior pituitary
choroid plexus
less significant: median eminence, subfornical organ, organum vasculosum, subcommissural organ, and lamina terminalis

52
Q

area postrema

A

chemoreceptor trigger zone for vomiting
found int he dorsomedial medulla oblongata

53
Q

pineal gland

A

solid organ that is located in the roof of the third ventricle and secretes melatonin
cysts are common here and can lead to obstructive hydrocephalus

54
Q

posterior pituitary gland

A

responsible for the secretion of oxytocin and vasopressin

55
Q

choroid plexus

A

produces CSF
ependymal cells lining the lateral and third ventricles form the choroid plexus and are responsible for CSF production

56
Q

ependymal cells pathology

A

malignancy (ependymomas/subependymomas), ependymal cysts, and infection (ependymitis)

57
Q

arachnoid granulations

A

small pouches of arachnoid mater that project through the dural wall of the major venous sinuses
- most CSF is reabsorbed into the superior sagittal sinus

58
Q

volume of CSF

A

150mL of CSF is present in the ventricles and subarachnoid space at any given time

59
Q

volume of CSF produced daily

A

500mL

60
Q

route of CSF following production

A

enters the third ventricle via the interventricular foramen of Monro, then flows through the cerebral aqueduct and into the fourth ventricle. CSF leaves the fourth ventricle into the subarachnoid space through the medial foramen of Magendie and the lateral foramina of Luschka

61
Q

foramen of Magendie

A

connects to the cisterna magna

62
Q

foramen of luschka

A

connects to the cerebellopontine cistern

63
Q

hydrocephalus

A

can occur with excess production of CSF, blockage of CSF circulation, or deficiency in CSF reabsorption

64
Q

Obstructive hydrocephalus

A

occurs with mass lesions that compresses the flow of CSF
most common cause of hydrocephalus

65
Q

common causes of obstructive hydrocephalus

A

pineal region tumors, intraventricular lesions, Chiari malformations, and aqueductal stenosis

66
Q

non-obstructive hydrocephalus

A

occurs with impairment of CSF reabsorption through arachnoid granulations, which most often follows subarachnoid hemorrhage, venous sinus thrombosis, or meningitis
congenital aplasia of arachnoid granulations can also cause hydrocephaly in children with cranial dysplasia

67
Q

intraventricular lesion locations

A

lateral ventricle
third ventricle
fourth ventricle

68
Q

lateral ventricle intraventricular lesions

A

subependymoma, choroid plexus tumors

69
Q

third ventricle

A

colloid cyst, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, central neurocytoma

70
Q

fourth ventricle

A

ependymoma, medulloblastoma

71
Q

ventriculitis

A

possible complication of meningitis
on MRI, ventriculitis appears as fluid levels within the cortical sulci and within the posterior horns of the lateral ventricles
- T1 sequences with contrast will show extensive enhancement of the ependyma