Brain and its vessels Flashcards
Name the blood supply of the brain (3)
Anterior cerebral artery
Middle cerebral artery
Posterior cerebral artery
Name the cerebellar arteries
SuCA (superior cerebellar artery)
AICA (anterior inferior cerebellar artery)
PICA (posterior cerebellar artery)
Anterior cerebral artery supplies which regions of the cortex? (4)
Medial frontal and parietal lobes
The longitudinal fissure and a 1cm strip on either side of it
Corpus callosum
Middle cerebral artery supplies which regions of the cortex?
Lateral sides of the brain (frontal, parietal and temporal lobes)
Posterior cerebral artery supplies which regions of the cortex?
Posterior and inferior sides of the brain (parietal, occipital and temporal lobes)
What are berry aneurysms?
Common type of intracranial aneurysm
Where are berry aneurysms most common?
At junction between ACA and anterior communicating artery
What can happen if a berry aneurysm bursts?
Subarachnoid haemorrhage (thunderclap headache)
What forms the blood-brain barrier? (3)
Endothelial cells
Pericytes
Astrocytes
What are the 5 features of the BBB?
Endothelial tight junctions Astrocyte end-feet Continuous basement membrane lacks fenestrations Pericytes Requires specific transporters
What are circumventricular organs?
Parts of the brain that lack the BBB eg posterior pituitary, area postrema, pineal body
Where do venous sinuses form?
In the spaces between the endosteal and meningeal layers of the dura
What are the 3 main sinuses?
Superior sagittal sinus
Inferior sagittal sinus
Straight sinus (cont. of inf sagittal sinus and great cerebral vein)
Where do the sinuses drain?
3 main sinuses –> transverse sinus –> sigmoid sinus –> internal jugular vein
Where do the 3 main sinuses meet?
At the confluence of sinuses
Where is the cavernous sinus located?
In middle cranial fossa, on either side of the sella turcica of sphenoid bone
What structures pass through the cavernous sinus?
Oculomotor nerve
Trochlear nerve . Abdudcens nerve . Internal carotid
Ophthalmic nerve
Maxillary nerve (Vb)
Name the meninges
Dura mater (endosteal and meningeal)
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater
Describe the path of CSF through the ventricles (6)
Lateral ventricles Interventricular foramen (Monro) 3rd ventricle Cerebral aqueduct 4th ventricle Foramen of Luschka and Magendie
Where is CSF produced?
By ependymal cells of choroid plexus in lateral ventricles (mainly)
Purpose of CSF?
Provide protection for the brain
How is CSF absorbed? (2)
Arachnoid granulations into superior sagittal sinus
Along nerves to lymphatics
What is hydrocephalus?
Abnormal accumulation of CSF in the ventricles
Common cause of hydrocephalus?
Blocked cerebral aqueduct
