Gross Brain

Question 1

List the three meninges

Answer 1

Pia Mater, Dura Mater, Arachnoid Mater

Question 2

Name the two clinically significant potential meningial spaces mentioned in class

Answer 2

subdural and epidural space

Question 3

What is the major blood supply to the dura over the parietal lobe

Answer 3

The middle meningeal artery

Question 4

What is a epidural hematoma?

Answer 4

An epidural hematoma is the result of blood entering the epidural space; often the result of damage to the middle meningeal artery.
The expanding hematoma puts pressure on the brain. This is a very dangerous injury becasue the middle meningeal artery is large and will create high pressure

Question 5

What is a subdural hematoma?

Answer 5

A subdural hematoma is the result of blood entering the subdural space; often the result of damage to small veins that cross from the brain to the venous sinuses.
The expanding hematoma puts pressure on the brain. Not as serious as an epidural hematoma becuase the vessels are small resulting in less pressure.

Question 6

What is the rostral extent of the subarachnoid space along the optic nerve?

Answer 6

The Optic Papilla (disk)

Question 7

What is the falx cerebri and what does it separate?

Answer 7

The falx extends ventrally in the sagittal plane from the skull to the corpus callosum and separates the cerebral hemispheres.

Question 8

What is the tentorium cerebelli and what does it separate?

Answer 8

The tentorium cerebelli lies horizontally between the cerebellum below and the occipital lobes above. The midbrain occupies the tentorial notch.

Question 9

What is found in the supratentorial compartment?

Answer 9

cerebrum

Question 10

What is found in the infratentorial compartment?

Answer 10

cerebellum

Question 11

What is the origin, course, and point of resorption of the cerebrospinal fluid?

Answer 11

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced by vascular tufts located in the lateral, third and fourth ventricles.

CSF exits the ventricular system into the subarachnoid space.
CSF is reabsorbed into the superior sagittal sinus through the arachnoid granulations.

Question 12

Name the vessels involved in the posterior and anterior blood supply of the brain

Answer 12

The brain is served by two arterial systems:

1. The internal carotid arteries arrive in the vicinitiy of the diencephalon, supplying the circle of Willis and the majority of the anterior brain
2. The vertebral arteries merge at the pontomedullary junction to form the basilar artery which feeds the circle of Willis and the majority of the posterior brain

Question 13

Name the vessels of the cirlce of Willis

Answer 13

Question 14

Name the three major vessels that supply the cerebral cortex

Answer 14

middle, anterior and posterior cerebral arteries