Meninges Flashcards

1
Q

What meningeal coverings are a part of the leptomeninges?

A

Arachnoid and pia mater

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2
Q

Generally, what is dura mater?

What’s its main fcn?

A

A thick connective tissue membrane that serves as the periosteum of the inside of the skull
- Main fcn is to suspend the brain (protect from trauma)

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3
Q

Explain the main layers of the dura mater.
Which contains the meningeal aa.?
What’s in b/w?

A
  1. Outer periosteal layer: firmly attached to skull; contains the meningeal aa.
  2. Inner meningeal layer: in close contact w/arachnoid and continuous w/spinal dura
  3. Dural venous sinuses
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4
Q

What is the space called b/w the dura and the cranium?

A

Trick- there is none (except in pathological conditions, then call it cranial epidural space)

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5
Q

What important things are contained in the spinal extradural space?

A
  • Venous plexuses

- CT

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6
Q

What innervates the dura?

A

Anterior: CN V
Posterior: cervical nn. of cervical plexus
(this is a source of headaches)

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7
Q

Name and approximate the 4 main dural folds.

A
  1. Falx cerebri–vertically divides cerebrum
  2. Falx cerebelli–vertically divides cerebellum
  3. Tentorium cerebelli–horizontal tent over the cerebellum
  4. Diaphragma sellae–allows passage of pituitary stalk (pit sits beneath it)
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8
Q

What is the tentorial notch?

A

Exit pathway for the brainstem through the anterior tentorium cerebelli

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9
Q

What sinus is on the superior border of the falx cerebri?
Inferior border?
What connects them at their posterior ends?

A
  • Superior sagittal sinus
  • Inferior sagittal sinus
  • Straight sinus
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10
Q

What sinus is at the falx cerebelli, against the occiput?

A
  • Occipital sinus
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11
Q
  1. What are the dilated spaces at the external occipital protuberance?
  2. What are their horizontal extensions?
  3. What is the continuation of #2, into the IJV?
A

ConTraSig

  • Confluence of sinuses
  • R and L transverse sinuses
  • R and L sigmoid sinuses
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12
Q

Where are the paired cavernous sinuses located?

What connects them?

A
  • Lateral aspect of the body of the sphenoid

- Intercavernous sinus

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13
Q

What sinus runs along the inferior surface of the lesser wings of the sphenoid?

A
  • Paired sphenoparietal sinuses
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14
Q

What sinuses run thru the petrous part of the temporal bone?
Which one ends at the IJV?

A
  • Paired superior petrosal sinuses and paired inferior petrosal sinuses
  • Inferiors ones end at IJV

(they come from cavernous sinus)

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15
Q

What sinus sits just posterior to the sella turcica of the sphenoid?

A

Basilar sinus

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16
Q

What do emissary vv. do?

What’s a pathology associated w/them?

A
  • They connect the extracranial veins to the dural venous sinuses inside the cranium.
  • Pathway for infection to spread from face/scalp to brain
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17
Q

Fcn of arachnoid trabeculae?

A

Suspends the brain

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18
Q

Where is CSF drained into?
Through what structures?
From where?

A
  • Dural venous sinuses (to venous system)
  • Arachnoid villi (clusters of villi = granulations)
  • From: subarachnoid space
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19
Q

Besides arachnoid villi, what prevents CSF from leaking from the subarachnoid space into the veinous system or from the dura back into the CSF?

A

Arachnoid barrier containing tight junctions

20
Q

Why does CSF flow naturally from the SAS into the dural venous sinuses?
If this was altered, what would happen?

A
  • Pressure in SAS higher than that of venous sinuses

- If this was reversed, venous blood could not get back into SAS because of valves in arachnoid villi

21
Q

What is on the side of pia mater opposite the arachnoid mater?

A

Astrocyte end feet that carpet the surface of the CNS

22
Q

What layers are on either side of the spinal epidural space?

A
  • Periosteum

- Dura

23
Q

Spinal dura and arachnoid mater end at what vertebral level?

A

S2

24
Q

The spinal cord ends at what vertebral level?

Where would be a safe place to perform an LP?

A
  • L1/L2

- L3/L4

25
Q

What meningeal layer provides the filum terminale?

A

Pia mater

26
Q

What meningeal layer are denticulate ligaments made of?

A

Pia mater

27
Q

What type of bleed would probably be caused by tearing a cerebral vein?

A

Subdural bleed

28
Q

What type of bleed would probably be caused by tearing a cerebral artery?

A

Subarachnoid bleed

29
Q

What type of bleed would probably be caused by tearing a meningeal artery?

A

Epidural bleed

30
Q

What brain vesicle contains the lateral ventricles?
Third ventricle?
Fourth ventricle?

A
  • Telencephalon
  • Diencephalon
  • Rhombencephalon
31
Q

Explain the pathway of CSF flow in the ventricles to the SAS

A
2 lateral ventricles -> 
2 interventricular foramina of Monro -> 
3rd ventricle -> 
Cerebral aqueduct of Sylvius -> 
4th ventricle -> 
Median aperture (foramen of Magendie) and 2 lateral apertures (foramina of Luschka) -> 
SAS
32
Q

Name the different parts of a lateral ventricle.

A
  • Frontal (ant) horn
  • Temporal (inf) horn
  • Occipital (post) horn
  • Body (sup)
  • Atrium (b/w them)
33
Q

What secretes CSF?

Where is this usually found?

A
  • Choroid plexus

- Roof of 3rd + 4th ventricles, + medial wall of lateral ventricles

34
Q

What is the nl rate of CSF produced/day?
How much do we have ahorita?
How much of this is in the ventricles?

A
  • 500mL/day
  • 90-150 mL
  • 23 mL in ventricles (rest in SAS)
35
Q

What types of cells surround the choroid plexus?

What is a second, special name for these cells?

A

Specialized ependymal cells, interconnected by tight junctions.
- These cells are specialized as a secretory epithelium called the choroid epithelium.

36
Q

What is the intervening neural tissue b/w the inner lining of the ventricle and the pia mater?

A

There is none

37
Q

Besides pia mater and specialized ependymal cells, what else is invaginated inside the choroid plexi (the 3rd layer)?

A

Vascular CT (bv’s)

38
Q

What area of SAS is situated b/w the medulla and the inferior surface of the cerebellum?

A

Cisterna magna

39
Q

What are a few main functions of the CSF?

A
  • Mechanical support/cushioning
  • Removal of metabolites
  • Route to spread neuroactive hormones
40
Q

What are 3 key facts about the composition of the CSF, regarding proteins, glucose, and salts, as compared to normal serum?

A
  • Trace protein in CSF
  • Less [glc], [Ca2+], [K+] vs. serum
  • More [Na+], [Cl-], [Mg2+] vs. serum
41
Q

What is hydrocephalus?

Explain the 2 main types of hydrocephalus.

A

Dilation of the ventricles

  • Communicating: obstruction occurs after CSF leaves the ventricles, hence the ventricles can still communicate
  • Non-communicating: obstruction occurs b/w the ventricles, most often the cerebral aqueduct (“aqueductal stenosis”)
42
Q

What are the 2 circumventricular organs that we need to know?

What are defining characteristics and some key facts about circumventricular organs?

A
  • Area postrema (sensory) and neurohypophysis (secretory)
  • Lack BBB; extensive vasculature;
  • Play key role in Na/H2O balance, CV regulation, energy metabolism, and immunomodulation
43
Q

What is the area prostrema thought to be responsible for?

A

Vomiting (chemo can affect this area)

44
Q

To which part of the lateral ventricles is the interventricular foramen attached?

A

Anterior/frontal horn

45
Q

What a. runs thru the cavernous sinus?

A

ICA