MRCS neuroanatomy Flashcards
List the input nuclei of the basal ganglia
- Caudate nucleus
- Putamen
what is the telencephalon ?
Telencephalon is another term for cerebrum. This is the largest part of the brain and contains the cerebral cortex.
What structures make up the basal ganglia ?
- Caudate nucleus
- putamen
- sub thalamic nuclei
- Globus pallidus [internus and externus]
- Sustantia Nigra
what structures form the Lentiform nucleus ?
Globus pallidus and Putamen
what structure forms the lateral aspect of the lentiform nucleus ?
Putamen
what are the intrinsic nuclei of the basal ganglia ?
- Globus pallidus external
- Subthalamic nuclei
- Pars compacta of the substantia nigra
In the basal ganglia, what structures from the Neostriatum ?
Caudate nucleus and putamen
Which white matter tract is located immediately lateral to the putamen?
External capsule
Which developmental component of the central nervous system is the substantia nigra located within?
Midbrain
what structure separates the cerebral hemispheres ?
Falx cerebri
a fold of dura mater that descends vertically to fill this fissure separating the two hemispheres.
what is the function of the corpus collosum
white matter structure connecting the two hemispheres.
what lobe of the cerebrum is the primary auditory cortex located ?
Temporal lobe
what are the functions of the temporal lobe ?
Memory and language
what structure separates the cerebrum from the cerebelli ?
tentorium cerebelli,
the middle cerebral arteries are a continuation of what artery ?
The internal carotid artery
The posterior cerebral arteries are a branch of what artery ?
Basilar
From which structure is the cerebrum embryonically derived ?
Procencephalon
what structure separates the cerebellum from the pons ?
The 4th ventricle
venous drainage from the head is into what structure ?
Internal jugular vein
what is the function of the arachnoid granulations ?
allow CSF to re-enter the circulation via the dural venous sinuses.
Which cranial nerve provides sensory innervation to the dura mater?
Trigeminal nerve
how is the pituitary gland accessed in surgery ?
Via the sphenoid sinus
what is the anatomical relationship of the pituitary gland to the cavernous sinus
Cavernous sinus is lateral
what structure is both inferior and anterior to the pituitary gland
Sphenoid sinus
how does the hypothalamus send neurotransmitters to the pituitary gland ?
hypophyseal portal vessels.
what two hormones are released by the posterior pituitary gland ?
ADH (responsible for control of blood osmolarity), and oxytocin (involved in parturition and milk secretion).
what is the function of hypophyseal portal vessels ?
These vessels ensure that the hypothalamic hormones remain concentrated, rather than being diluted in the systemic circulation. And allow transport from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland
what is the function of the ventricles ?
production, transport and removal of cerebrospinal fluid, which bathes the central nervous system.
what structure allows passage of CSF from the lateral ventricles to the 3rd ventricle ?
Foramen of Monroe
where is CSF produced ?
Cerebrospinal fluid is produced by the choroid plexus, located in the lining of the ventricles
what is the function of the choroid plexus ?
production of CSF
In the ventricular system of the brain, the foramen of Munro connects which structures?
connects the lateral ventricles to the 3rd ventricle
This most common cause of CST is infection, which typically spreads from an extracranial location such as the orbit, paranasal sinuses, or the ‘danger zone’ of the face. What veins act as tracts for infection to reach the cavernous sinus ?
due to the anastomosis between the facial vein and superior ophthalmic veins.
how does a CN VI palsy present ?
The affected eye turns medially and is unable to abduct properly
what veins drain into the straight sinus ?
inferior sagittal sinus with the great cerebral vein.
what veins do the cavernous sinus drain into ?
Superior and Inferior petrosal veins
How is the straight sinus formed ?
The great cerebral vein combines with the inferior sagittal sinus
At what level does the common carotid artery bifurcate ?
C4
Vertebral arteries arise from which artery ?
Subclavian
what are the two types of ascending tracts ?
conscious tracts and unconscious tracts
what modalities are transmitted by the DCML pathway ?
fine touch (tactile sensation), vibration and proprioception.
what modalities are transmitted by the anteriolateral pathway ?
Anterior spinothalamic tract – carries the sensory modalities of crude touch and pressure.
Lateral spinothalamic tract – carries the sensory modalities of pain and temperature.
define fasciculus
bundle - could be of nerves or muscles
First order neurons carry signals from where to where in the DCML pathway ?
From the peripheral nervous system to the medulla oblongata
In the DCML pathway, sensory signals from the UL and LL are transported in two different pathways - describe these
Signals from the upper limb (T6 and above) – travel in the fasciculus cuneatus
Signals from the lower limb (below T6) – travel in the fasciculus gracilis
where do second order neurons in the anterolateral pathway decussate when carrying ascending sensory signals
In the spinal cord
what tracts carry unconscious sensory signals to the sensory cortex ?
The Spinocerebellar Tracts
what symptoms would occur following damage to the DCML pathway in the spinal cord ?
Ispilateral loss of proprioception and fine touch.