Module 5 (Support and Protection of Brain) Flashcards
What are the 2 protective measures of the brain
Meninges
The ventricles
What are meninges
3 connective tissue membranes protecting structures of the CNS
What are the 3 meninges
Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater
What is dura mater and what is it composed of
Most superficial and tough of the meninges
Double layer of CT that attaches firmly to the skull
Projections of the dura mater
Falx cerebri
Tentorium cerebelli
Falx cerebelli
What is the falx cerebi
The longitudinal fissure between the cerebral hemispheres
What is the tentorium cerebelli
The transverse fissure between the cerebrum and cerebellum
What is the flax cerebelli
The space at the midline of the cerebellum
What is the arachnoid mater
Loosely covers the brain
Features of the arachnoid mater
Subarachnoid space
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
What is the subarachnoid space
Area between the arachnoid mater and pia mater
What fills the subarachnoid space
CSF and blood vessels fill the space
What is the pia mater
Firmly attached to the cerebral cortex and is the innermost layer of the meninges
What are the ventricles
Provide support and protection to the brain
What are the ventricles made up of and what do they contain
Made up of 4 hollow spaces that are continuous with each other and the spinal cord
Contain CSF
What are the 3 ventricles
Lateral ventricles
Third ventricle
Fourth ventricle
What are the lateral ventricles and where are they found
Paired, c-shaped spaces deep within the cerebral hemispheres
A portion of the lateral ventricles can be found in each lobe
How does the third ventricle connect to the lateral ventricles
Interventricular foramina (of Monro)
What is the third ventricle and where is it located
Single, located in the middle of the diencephalon between the two halves of the thalamus
What is the fourth ventricle and where is it located
Sits between the pons/medulla and the cerebellum
Continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord and the subarachnoid space
How does the fourth ventricle connect to the third ventricle
Cerebral aqueduct
What is CSF
Specialized fluid that bathes and protects structures of the CNS
Where is CSF found and produced
Contained within and produced inside the ventricles by the choroid plexus
What is the choroid plexus
A collection of ependymal cells and blood vessels
What are the main functions of CSF
Provides a buoyancy effect to the brain and spinal cord
Provides support and protection of the CNS, acting as a shock absorber
Serves as a medium for the transport of nutrients, waste, dissolved gasses, and other substances
Directional flow of CSF
Lateral ventricles
Interventricular foramen
Third ventricle
Cerebral aqueduct
Fourth ventricle
Subarachnoid space
