Brain and Spinal Cord Part 1: Brain (overview and Meninges) Anatomy

Question 1

1. What 4 things make up the brain

Answer 1

• cerebrum
• diencephalon
• cerebellum
• The brainstem

Question 2

2. What is the brain protected by

Answer 2

cranium

Question 3

3. What 2 sections is the cranium split up into

Answer 3

Viscerocranium & neurocranium

Question 4

What are the 8 bones of the neurocranium (2 bone types are repeated)

Answer 4

1x frontal bone
2x parietal bones
1x occipital bone
1x sphenoid bone
1x ethmoid bone
2x temporal bones

Question 5

Outline the 5 layers of the scalp and cranial base starting with the skin (use SCALP acronym)

Answer 5

-Skin
- Connective tissue
- Aponeurosis
- Loose connective tissue
- Periosteum

Question 6

Where does the brain stem exit the cranium to connect to the spinal cord

Answer 6

at the foramen magnum

Question 7

7. What is the calvarium

Answer 7

where the skull is opened up at the temple

Question 8

1. What is the meninges

Answer 8

Three layers of membranous tissues

Question 9

2. What are the three layers that makes up the meninges

Answer 9

Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater

Question 10

what is the dura mater described as

Answer 10

described as the “Tough Mother” layer

Question 11

what is the arachnoid mater described as

Answer 11

described as the “ Spiderweb-like Mother” layer

Question 12

what is the Pia mater described as

Answer 12

described as the “ Pious mother” layer

Question 13

3. What two further layers make up the dura mater

Answer 13

periosteal layer
meningeal layer

Question 14

4. What occurs between each layer

Answer 14

spaces occur between layers

Question 15

1. What 2 things does the dura mater do

Answer 15

• Stabilises the brain during head movements
• Protects the brain

Question 16

2. What are 2 features of the dura mater

Answer 16

• it forms partitions in the skull
• It is thick and tough

Question 17

4. What is the falx cerebri

Answer 17

a midline sheet which lies between the two cerebral hemispheres

Question 18

5. What is the falx cerebelli

Answer 18

falx cerebelli is a vertical fold which separates cerebellar hemispheres

Question 19

6. What is the tentorium cerebelli

Answer 19

a horizontal sheet which separates the cerebellum from the posterior parts of the cerebral hemispheres

Question 20

1. What space is between the skull and dura mater

Answer 20

extradural/epidural space

Question 21

2. What space is between the dura mater and arachnoid mater

Answer 21

subdural space

Question 22

3. What is it called when the extradural or subdural spaces fill with blood following head injuries or bleeding problems

Answer 22

extradural and subdural haematomas

Question 23

4. What may be required if someone has haematomas

Answer 23

emergency neurosurgical drainage

Question 24

1. When does a subdural haematoma develop

Answer 24

develops when bleeding from veins in the brain result in a subdural haemorrhage

Question 25

2. What are 6 symptoms of subdural haematoma

Answer 25

• A worsening Headache
• Feeling and being sick
• Confusion
• Personality changes, such as being unusually aggressive or having rapid mood swings
• Feeling drowsy
• Loss of consciousness

Question 26

1. Where is the subarachnoid space between

Answer 26

Between arachnoid mater and pia mater

Question 27

2. What fluid does the subarachnoid space contain

Answer 27

This space contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)