Chapter 8 - CNS Flashcards
what 2 organs make up the CNS?
brain
spinal cord
what 3 sections make up the brain?
cerebrum
cerebellum
brainstem
largest part of the brain
cerebrum
elevations of the brain
gyri
grooves of the brain
sulci
deep groove that divides the cerebrum into right and left hemispheres
longitudinal sulcus
a fold of dura mater that lies within this fissure; changes in it’s normal position often indicates pathology
falx cerebri
what connects the right and left hemispheres?
corpus callosum
located posterior and under cerebrum
cerebellum
what are the 3 parts of the brainstem from top to bottom?
midbrain
pons
medulla oblongata
portion of the brain that connects the pons and spinal cord
medulla oblongata
where does the spinal cord extend to?
L1/L2 disk space
pointed end of spinal cord
conus medullaris
spinal nerves below the termination of the spinal cord
cauda equina
continuous, protective membranes that enclose the brain and spinal cord
meninges
what are the 3 meninges from outer to inner?
dura mater
arachnoid
pia mater
space between the bone and dura mater
epidural space
outermost membrane; strong, fibrous
dura mater
space between the dura mater and arachnoid
subdural space
middle membrane
arachnoid
space between arachnoid and pia mater
subarachnoid space
where is the Cerebral Spinal Fluid located?
subarachnoid space
communicates with the ventricles of the brain
subarachnoid space
an area of the subarachnoid space that is increased in width, located at the base of the brain
cisterna magna
inner membrane; highly vascular and closely adhered to brain and spinal cord
pia mater
what are the 4 cerebral spinal fluid containing cavaties in the brain?
right
left
third
fourth
fluid around the brain and spinal cord to provide cushion
cerebral spinal fluid
how do ventricles communicate with each other?
through connecting channels
which ventricle does CSF exit out of to communicate with the subarachnoid space?
fourth ventricle
exam where contrast is injected into the subarachnoid space
myelogram
injection into the subarachnoid space
intrathecal injection
where is the puncture made at for a myelogram?
L2-L3 or L3-L4
what type of contrast is used for a myelogram?
water-soluble, nonionic, iodinated contrast
what should you do if contrast has moved into the cervical area of the patient?
position head in acute extension to compress cistern magna and prevent contrast from entering ventricles of the brain
why is a myelogram performed?
to demonstrate spinal cord compression
treats compression fractures of the vertebral bodies
vertebroplasty & kyphoplasty
the injection of radiopague bone cement into a compression fracture under fluoroscopic guidance
percutaneous vertebroplasty
how is percutaneous kyphoplasty different from percutaneous vertebroplasty?
a balloon catheter is used to expand the compressed vertebral body before injection of the bone cement
inflammation of the meninges
meningitis
what are the 2 types of meningitis?
bacterial
viral
what is done to determine the cause of meningitis?
spinal tap
inflammation of the brain
encephalitis
what is encephalitis caused by?
virus
collection of pus in the brain
brain abscess
what is a brain abscess usually a result of?
infections of the middle ear or sinuses
accumulation of pus between the dura and arachnoid
subdural empyema
accumulation of pus inbetween the skull and dura
epidural empyema
inflammation of bone
osteomyelitis
what is osteomyelitis caused by?
bacteria
what modality is best for demonstrating CNS tumors?
MRI
bleed between skull and dura mater due to trauma
epidural hematoma
how do head bleeds show up on a radiographic image?
radiopaque
bleed between dura and arachnoid due to trauma
subdural hematoma
injury to brain tissue after trauma to the skull; a bruise with no hemorrhage involved
cerebral contusion
bleed in the brain tissue
intracerebral hematoma
what is the best modality to visualize skull and facial fractures?
CT
what does air seen in orbital soft tissues indicate?
fracture of ethmoid
what does opacification of the maxillary sinus indicate?
fracture of orbital floor
any abnormality of the blood vessels in the brain
cerebrovascular disease
what are the 2 modality choices for evaluation of a stroke?
CT
MRI
why is contrast material not used for stroke protocol?
it’s toxic and can actually cause harm to infarcted area
it can obstruct the view of a bleed
an area of necrosis in an organ
infarction
how does a hemorrhagic stroke appear on a radiographic image?
radiopaque
how does an old hemorrhagic stroke appear on a radiographic iamge?
radiolucent
idiopathic disease that destroys the myelin around the brain tissue
multiple sclerosis
fatty layer that surround the brain matter
myelin
what are the areas of the brain that are demyelinated refered to as?
lesions
what is multiple sclerosis characterized by?
multiple episodes of relapse and remissions
is there a cure for multiple sclerosis?
no
what type of condition is epilepsy and convulsive disorders?
idiopathic
mild muscular twitching
petit mal
convulsions, foaming at the mouth, loss of control of urine
grand mal
what does normal aging result in?
atrophy of brain tissue surrounding ventricles
enlargement of the ventricles
progressive decline in memory, attention, language, and problem solving skills
dementia
progressive atrophy and dementia at an earlier age than normal
alzheimer’s disease
characterized by involuntary tremor
parkinson’s disease
idiopathic, not diagnosed radiographically, loss of motor function
lou gehrig’s disease
what does lou gehrig’s disease lead to?
paralysis and weakness of respiratory function
dilaton of the ventricular system caused by obstruction of flow of CSF
hydrocephalus
