Intercranial Structures and Blood Vessels of the Head and Neck Flashcards
Cranial Bones
• Have a unique structure consisting of an outer and inner cortical table surrounding the diploe
- Superior Cortical Layer – Outer Cortical Table
- Deeper Cortical Layer – Inner cortical table
Meninges of the Brain
Dura Mater, Arachnoid Mater, Pia Mater
• Form a protective membranous layer
What does the Dura Mater form
• Dura mater forms passageways for venous blood to flow
Arachnoid Mater
o Consists of two differing parts
o Has protrusions called arachnoid villi that pass through the dura mater to enter the dural venous sinus (known as arachnoid granulation when calcified in older individuals)
o Does not go deep into all the sulci but rather forms a roof over each sulcus
Role of the Arachnoid Vili
o Arachnoid villi allows CSF to drain from the subarachnoid d space into the venous blood to be recycled
Pia Mater
o One cell layer thick and is invisible to the naked eye
o Attaches to the superficial surface of the brain and travels into all cerebral sulci
What are the Dural Reflections?
- Falx Cerebri
- Tentorium Cerebelli
- Diaphragma Sellae
- Falx Cerebelli
Falx Cerebri
o Located in the longitudinal fissure of the brain
o Separates the right and left cerebral hemispheres
Tentorium Cerebelli
o Separates cerebellum from occipital lobes of the cerebrum
o Forms a tent like structure over the cerebellum
Diaphragma Sellae
o Roof of sella turcicia
o Protects pituitary gland
o Fold of the dura mater
Falx Cerebelli
o Short reflection between cerebellar hemispheres
Significance of Dural Reflections
o Form passageways for venous blood to travel back to the heart
Superior Sagittal Sinus
o Travels within the longitudinal fissure to reach the confluence of the sinuses posterior to the brain
o Dural venous sinus
o Located within the superior border of the falx cerebri
Inferior Sagittal Sinus
o Located within the Falx Cerebri
o Joins with the Great Cerebral Vein to become the Straight sinus
Straight Sinus
o Travels within the falx cerebri and the tentorium cerebelli until it drains into the confluence of sinuses
Central Sulcus
o Indicates the central sulcus which separates the frontal and parietal lobes of the cerebrum
Lateral Fissure
o Separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes
o T-shaped appearance
o Deep to the lateral fissure is the 5th lobe of the cerebrum – the insular lobe
Parieto-occipital Sulcus
o Separates the parietal and occipital lobes
What does the Substantia Nigra Produce?
• Dopamine is produced and is associated with the function of the basal nuclei
Vermis
• The median segment of the cerebellum
Cerebellum
- Consists of two cerebellar hemispheres
- Surface is arranged into folia and fissures
- Each side of the brainstem is attached to the ipsilateral cerebellar hemisphere and vermis by three paired cerebellar peduncles
Three Paired Cerebellar Peduncles
o Superior – connects midbrain and cerebellum
o Middle – connects pons and cerebrum
o Inferior – connects medulla oblongata and cerebellum
Function of the Cerebellar Peduncles
• Cerebellar peduncles allow information transfer between brainstem and cerebellum
What are ventricles?
• Ventricles are spaces within the brain
Where is CSF produced?
• CSF is produced within the choroid plexus of the ventricles of the brain
Ventricles within the Brain
Lateral Ventricle, 3rd Ventricle, Cerebral Aqueduct, 4th Ventricle
Location of the differing parts of the Lateral Ventricles
- Anterior horn of the lateral ventricle – frontal lobe of cerebral hemisphere
- Body of lateral ventricle – parietal lobe of cerebral hemispheres
- Inferior horn of lateral ventricle – temporal lobe of cerebral hemisphere
- Posterior horn of lateral ventricle – occipital lobe of cerebral hemisphere
Location of the 3rd Ventricle
Diencephalon
Location of the 4th Ventricle
Pons, medulla oblongata and cerebellum
Location of the Cerebral Aqueduct
Midbrain of Brainstem
Function of CSF
- Protects brain from trauma
* Allows means of transport for nutrients and waste material
Choroid Plexus Location
• Choroid plexus located within the floor of the lateral ventricle, roof of the third ventricle and roof of the fourth ventricle
How much CSF is produced in a day?
600-700mL
Cilia role in CSF production
Cilia allow beating movement to move the CSF into the subarachnoid space
Flow of the CSF
- CSF leaves the subarachnoid space via the arachnoid villi to the dural venous system for cycling
- Lateral Ventricle -> flows through interventricular foramen (connect right and left lateral ventricles) -> flows the cerebral aqueduct and is located within the midbrain -> apertures allow CSF to flow out the ventricular system and into the subarachnoid space -> fills all the sulci covering the brain -> drains into the arachnoid villi (only lie within the midsagittal plane as they drain into the superior sagittal sinus)
Apertures
• Located at the inferior portion of the fourth ventricle
3 individual apertures
o Single median and two lateral apertures
What is a Cistern
• Regions in which there is dilation and CSF begins to pool
Cisterna Magna
o Largest Cistern
o Between the medulla oblongata and the inferior part of the cerebellum
Cistern of the Great Cerebral Vein
o Located superior to the cerebellum and posterior to the diencephalon
Prepontine (or pontine) Cistern
o Passageway anterior to the Pons
o Basilar artery lies here
Interpeduncular Cistern
o Lies anterior to the midbrain
o Space located between the two cerebral peduncles and the anterior parts of the midbrain
Chiasmatic Cistern
o Located around the optic chiasm