Meninges

Question 1

What is the function of the meninges?

Answer 1

they provide protection to the brain and spinal cord

Question 2

what are the three layers of the meninges?

Answer 2

1. Dura mater
2. arachnoid mater
3. pia mater

Question 3

Dura mater

Answer 3

think layer of connective tissue surrounding the brain.

Question 4

what are the two layers of the dura mater

Answer 4

periosteal and meningeal

Question 5

what is the structural function of the periosteal and meningeal layers?

Answer 5

they separate to form the large dural venous sinuses

Question 6

the meningeal layer

Answer 6

folds and extends inwards to form flat partition, which subdivide the cranial cavity and limit excessive movement of the brain within the cranium

Question 7

What are the three foldings formed by the meningeal layer of the dura mater?

Answer 7

1. falx cerebri
2. tentorium cerebelli
3. falx verebelli

Question 8

Flax cerebri

Answer 8

form a partition between the two cerebral hemispheres. it lies in a medial sagittal plane (in the longitudinal fissure)

Question 9

What does the falx cerebri attach to?

Answer 9

the crista galli anteriorly and upper surface of the tentorium cerebelli in the midline posteiorly

Question 10

tentorium cerebelli

Answer 10

separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum. it is in the horizontal plane

Question 11

falx cerebelli

Answer 11

separates the two cerebellar hemispheres. it is a smaller dural fold that runs the vermis of the cerebellum

Question 12

Subdural space

Answer 12

the space between the meningeal layer and the arachnoid mater

Question 13

what may cause enlargement of the subdural space?

Answer 13

bleeding, causing a subdural hemorrhage

Question 14

arachnoid mater

Answer 14

delicate transparent membrane, which does not dip into the sulci.

Question 15

Arachnoid trabeculae

Answer 15

fine straits of connective tissue which connect the arachnoid and pia mater

Question 16

subarachnoid space

Answer 16

exists between the arachnoid and Pia mater. it is a wide space, filled with CSF

Question 17

What is the function of the subarachnoid space

Answer 17

to form a barrier between the brain and the skull so the brain does get damaged easily

Question 18

arachnoid villi

Answer 18

knoblike projections of the arachnoid mater

Question 19

arachnoid granulations

Answer 19

aggregations of arachnoid villi which drain CSF into the vinous sinuses

Question 20

Cistern

Answer 20

enlarged subarachnoid space

Question 21

lumbar cistern

Answer 21

inferior to the spinal cord. allows the performance of a lumbar puncture to obtain a CSF sample

Question 22

Pia mater

Answer 22

a delicate membrane that follows contours of the brain. it surrounds blood vessels and sends prolongations into brain tissue along with blood vessels, forming perivascular space

Question 23

What is different about the dura mater in the spinal cord?

Answer 23

there is no dural periosteal layer

Question 24

why does the spinal cord only have the meningeal dural layer?

Answer 24

for flexibility and support

Question 25

Meningitis

Answer 25

inflammation of the Pia-arachnoid. it is the most common infection of the CNS. it is usually caused by a bacteria or virus, and results in fever, vomiting and a stiff neck.

Question 26

how do you diagnose meningitis?

Answer 26

perform a lumbar puncture to examine the CSF