Neuroanatomy Flashcards
anatomical position
- standard reference point
- body erect
- feet on ground
- eyes and palms face forwards
- thumbs point away from the body
directional terms
1) cranial (head, rostral) vs caudal (tail)
2) posterior/dorsal (back) vs anterior/ventral (front
3) superior (head) vs inferior (feet)
4) proximal (nearer to center of body or attachment) vs distal (farther) = tubes or limbs only!
5) medial, lateral, intermediate
6) superficial vs deep
planes and sections
1) frontal/coronal: separates into anterior and posterior
2) transverse: separates into superior and inferior
3) sagittal: separates into L/R
articulations
- aka joints
- union between 2 or more bones
- classified by structure (how they are connected) and function (i.e. how much they move)
types of structural joints
1) fibrous
2) cartilaginous
3) synovial (majority)
types of functional joints
1) synarthroses: immoveable
2) amphiarthroses: slightly moveable
3) diarthroses: freely moveable (most)
some types of joints
1) fibrous synarthroses
2) fibrous amphiarthroses
3) cartilaginous synarthroses
4) cartilaginous amphiarthroses
5) synovial joints (all diarthroses)
fibrous synarthroses
- joined by dense irregular CT
- ex. sutures: connect skull bones
- ex. gomphosis: tooth to bony jaw
fibrous amphiarthroses
- joined by dense irregular CT
- ex. syndesmoses: articulation between forearm and leg bones
cartilaginous synarthroses
- joined by cartilage
- ex. synchondroses: epiphyseal plates in growing bone and 1st sternocostal joint
cartilaginous amphiarthroses
- joined by cartilage
- ex. symphysis: pubic symphysis and joints of vertebral bodies (intervertebral discs)
synovial joint general anatomy
1) articular capsule (aka joint capsule): two layers (fibrous for strength and synovial membrane), creates joint cavity
*distinguishing feature
2) synovial fluid: produced by membrane for lubrication, nourishment of articular cartilage, shock absorption
3) articular cartilage: covers articular surfaces where there is no synovial membrane (covering bone)
4) ligaments: connect bone to bone, reinforce articular capsule (provide stability and limit movement)
accessory structures of synovial joints
1) bursae: fibrous, saclike structures filled with synovial fluid to alleviate friction (ex. lots in knee)
2) fat pads: supportive material found around joint, often fill spaces that form during movement
2) tendons: muscle to bone connection, provides stability around joint
classification of synovial joints
- based on shape of articulating surfaces and movements permitted
1) pivot: uniaxial
2) hinge: uniaxial
3) saddle: biaxial
4) ball and socket: multiaxial
5) condyloid: biaxial
6) plane: uniaxial
types of movements at synovial joints
1) gliding: opposing surfaces glide back and forth
2) angular: flexion/extension in sagittal plane, abduction/adduction in frontal plane
3) rotation: medial/lateral rotation in transverse plane (R/L for vertebral column)
4) special movements
flexion vs extension
flexion = joint angle decreases, extension = increases
abduction vs adduction
abduction = away from midline, adduction = towards
lateral vs medial rotation
lateral = rotates away from midline, medial = towards midline
axial vs appendicular skeleton
- axial = skull, vertebral column and bony thorax (ribs and sternum)
- appendicular = pectoral and pelvic girdles, upper and lower limb bones
vertebral column
- fetus & infant: 33 separate bones
- 9 fuse to form two composite bones (sacrum and coccyx)
- complete ossification occurs between 25-30
- adult: 24 unfused irregular bones
division of vertebral column bones
1) cervical (1-7)
2) thoracic (1-12)
3) lumbar (1-5)
4) sacrum (5 fused)
5) coccyx (3-4 fused)
shape of vertebral column
- looks straight from anterior/posterior view
- curvature in lateral view (single curve in fetus –> multiple)
curvature of vertebral column
1) cervical: secondary curvature (develops after, not the same) develops with ability to hold head up
2) thoracic: primary
3) lumbar: secondary, develops with ability to stand upright
4) sacrum + coccyx: primary
kyphosis
exaggerated curvature in thoracic region
lordosis
exaggerated curvature in lumbar region
typical vertebra
1) weight bearing vertebral body (anterior)
2) vertebral foramen (for spinal cord, line up to form vertebral canal)
3) 2 x transverse process (lateral)
4) 1 x spinous process (posterior)
5) 2 x lamina (connecting processes)
6) 2 x pedicle (connecting transverse process to body)
*5/6 form vertebral arch
7) 2 x superior articular process
8) 2x inferior articular facet
*7/8 articulate to form facet joints
9) superior/inferior vertebral notch
10) notches form intervertebral foramen (between two vertebrae, for spinal nerve)
11) intervertebral disc
facet joint
- connecting superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebrae
- plane synovial joint (gliding)
general regional variation in vertebrae
from cranial to caudal:
1) size of vertebral bodies increase as load increases
2) diameter of vertebral canal decreases as diameter of spinal chords decreases
3) process change shape and orientation to reflect differences in function and movement
4) some unique features
features of C3-C7
- bifid spinous processes
- transverse foramina for vertebral vessels (blood for brain)
- articular processes allow a range of movements
features of C1 (atlas)
- articulates with skull (superior articular facets articulate with occipital condyles) –> permits “yes” movement
- no body or spinous processes (anterior arch instead)
- larger posterior arch
features of C2 (axis)
- dens is unique part, everything else is the same
- articulations between C1/C2 permit “no” movement (C1 rotates round dens)
transverse ligament of atlas
holds dens in place, running from one side of anterior arch to the other
features of T1-T12
- articulate with ribs using transverse costal facets (two)
- spinous process are long, point inferiorly
- orientation of articular facets inhibits flexion and extension, but permits gliding
features of L1-L5
- enhanced weigh bearing function = large, kidney bean body
- spinous processes are short and point posteriorly
- orientation of articular processes allow for flexion and extension
features of sacrum
- five fused vertebrae (remnants of spinal processes form medial and lateral (2) sacral crest)
- 4 anterior and posterior sacral foramina
- wide part = base, tip = apex
- sacral promontory at top of base
- sacral hiatus at apex (posterior side)
- sacral canal in the middle
- 2 x ala: “wing” on each side of base (anterior side)
features of coccyx
- no unique features
- 3-4 fuse vertebrae
- at apex of sacrum
intervertebral discs function and location
- permit movement between vertebrae
- shock absorption
- located everywhere except C1-C2
parts of intervertebral disc
1) nucleus pulposus: inner gelatinous part
2) anulus fibrosus: outer stronger collar of collagen fibers and fibrocartilage (thicker anteriorly than posteriorly for strength)
supporting ligaments in vertebral column
1) ligamentum flavum: between vertebrae
2) posterior longitudinal ligament: continuous along portion of canal
3) anterior longitudinal ligament: continuous along column
joints of vertebral bodies
- contain intervertebral disc
vertebral column movement limitations
1) orientation of facet joints
2) attachment of bony thorax
3) bulk of surrounding tissue (more bulk = less movement)
types of movement in vertebral column
- flexion: bend forward
- extension: bend backward
- lateral flexion: vertebrae slide past each other
- rotation of head and neck (around neck area)
- rotation of upper trunk, neck and head (around waist area)
herniated disc
- rupture of anulus fibrosus, leading to leakage of nucleus pulposus
- puts pressure on spinal cord and nerves = pain
- usually occurs in posterolateral (anulus fibrosus thinner)
division of skull bones
1) cranial (neurocranium, brain case)
2) facial (viscerocranium, facial skeleton)
how are skull bones united?
- majority by fibrous sutures: synarthrotic fibrous joints
- exception: jaw (temporal mandibular joint) is synovial joint capsule
why aren’t sutures completely fused at birth?
- allows body to squeeze through birth canal more easily
- flexibility allows for growth
fontanels
- areas of unossified mesenchyme
- two major:
1) anterior fontanel: diamond shape, closes ~9-18 months after birth
2) posterior fontanel: triangular, closes ~1-2 months after birth
function of cranial bones
1) protect brain
2) stabilize position of brain and provide attachment points for brain
3) attachment site for muscles
cranial bones
eight bones:
1) 2 x parietal: largest superior aspect of skull
2) 2x: temporal
3) occipital: wraps under to form skull base and support brain
4) frontal: forms shelf to support brain
5) sphenoid
6) ethmoid
cranial sutures
1) coronal: along coronal plane, joins parietal and frontal
2) squamous: lateral plane, joins parietal and temporal
3) lambdoid: joins parietal and occipital
4) sagittal: joins two parietal
5) zygomaticofrontal suture: zygomatic and frontal
6) sphenosquamosal suture: sphenoid and temporal
temporal bony features
1) internal/external acoustic meatus: for ear canal
2) mastoid process: attachment of neck muscles
3) styloid process: attaches to soft tissue
4) mandibular fossa: helps form temporal mandibular joint
5) zygomatic process: forms prominence of cheek
6) squamous part: flat part of bone
7) pterion: articulation of parietal, temporal, frontal and sphenoid bones (weakest area of skull)
8) interior petrous (“rough”) part
bregma
where frontal and two parietal bones meet (used to be anterior fontanel)
lambda
where occipital and two parietal bones meet (used to be posterior fontanel)
features of frontal bone
1) supraorbital foramen: hole for small nerve to supply forehead
2) squamous part
3) supraorbital margin: edge of shelf created by…
4) orbital part
5) frontal sinus: makes skull lighter, connects into nose
features of sphenoid
- expands width of skull
- articulates with all cranial bones
- has sphenoid sinus
- butterfly shape with lesser (closer to frontal bone) and greater wing on each side
- lateral and medial pterygoid plates: muscle attachments for chewing with jaw
- pterygoid hamulus: hook-like structure at the end of medial plate
- sella turcica (aka hypophyseal fossa): “turkish saddle” where pituitary gland sits and is protected
features of ethmoid
- located inside nose, between orbits
- extends to form nasal septum (perpendicular plate attaches to vomer) and medial part of orbit
- crista galli: “rooster cone” that points up
- lateral mass: contains air cells (makes bone lighter) and form ethmoid sinuses
- middle nasal concha (2): divide nasal airway
- cribriform plate on either side of crista galli containing olfactory foramina (for smell nerves)
suture bones
- tiny bones inside suture
- only present in some skulls
occipital bone features
1) external occipital protuberance
2) occipital condyles (2): hang down to flank foramen magnum, where C1 articulates
3) foramen magnum: where spinal chord passes through
cranial base
- formed by portions of all cranial bones
- sphenoid is keystone
cranial fossae
- three different to support parts of brain
1) anterior: frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid bones - houses frontal lobes
2) middle: sphenoid, temporal and parietal - houses temporal lobes
3) posterior: occipital, temporal, parietal - houses cerebellum
facial bones function
1) supply framework for face, sense organs and teeth
2) provide openings for passage of air and food
3) anchor facial muscles
facial bones
14 total:
1) 2 x lacrimal: hole for tears to pass through
2) 2 x zygomatic: form prominence of cheek
3) 2 x palatine bones: form roof of mouth
4) 2 x nasal
5) ONE vomer
6) 2 x inferior nasal concha
7) 2 x maxillae
8) ONE mandible
features of maxillae
- form part of orbit
- infraorbital foramen: hole for nerve
- alveolar process of maxilla: where teeth attach
- joined by suture
- palatine process: roof of mouth, attaches to palatine bones
features of mandible
- alveolar process of mandible: where teeth attach
- mandibular foramen (2): nerve for sensation of lower jaw
- coronoid process: helps form joint for chewing
- condylar process: articulates with mandibular fossa for temporomandibular joint
- ramus (between angle and coronoid process)
- angle (jawline)
- body
- mental foramen (2) for nerve to chin
- super strong
features of palatine bones
- horizontal plate (bottom): L-shape, goes up into nasal cavity, attaches to perpendicular plate (ethmoid) and vomer
zygomatic arch
1) temporal process of zygomatic bone
2) zygomatic process of temporal bone
nasal complex
- bones and cartilage enclose nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses
- nasal septum (formed by cartilage at the tip: septal hyaline cartilage) divides cavity into two chambers = perpendicular plate of ethmoid bone and vomer
paranasal sinuses functions
- all connected and continuous with nasal cavity
- lined with mucous membranes (grabs particles to prevent entry into lungs, warms air)
- lighten skull mass and increase surface area of nasal mucosa
paranasal sinuses
one on each side, within bones:
1) frontal
2) sphenoidal
3) ethmoid cells of ethmoid sinus
4) maxillary sinus
(portion of temporal bone has mastoid air cells but not connected to sinuses)
associated bones of skull
1) auditory ossicles: in petrous part of temporal bone (malleus, incus, stapes)
2) hyoid bone: in anterior neck at C3 (curved shape, doesn’t articulate with other bones but instead held in place by muscles and cartilage)
additional foramen, fissures and canals in the cranium
foramen:
1) rotundum: maxillary nerve
2) ovale: mandibular nerve
3) spinosum: middle meningeal artery/vein, meningeal branch of mandibular nerve
4) lacerum: greater petrosal nerve (pre-ganglionic PNS), deep petrosal nerve (post-ganglionic SNS)
5) stylomastoid: facial nerve
6) incisive: greater palatine arteries, sphenopalatine
7) greater palatine
8) lesser palatine
canals:
1) hypoglossal: motor innervation for tongue
2) carotid: internal carotid artery, nerves to heart
central nervous system
- brain in cranium + spinal cord in vertebral column
- nuclei = cell bodies
- tracts = nerve fibers
peripheral nervous system
- cranial nerves from brain/brainstem + spinal nerves from spinal cord
- ganglia = cell bodies
- nerves = never fibers
spinal cord
- continuation of brain stem
- extends through foramen magnum and vertebral canal, ending at inferior border of L1
- conduit for tracts to and from higher centers
- contains neural circuits (reflex arcs)
cervical and lumbosacral enlargements
- increased number of neurons in these regions for upper and lower limbs
(caudal) conus medullaris
- inferior end of spinal cord (vertebral level L2)
division of spinal cord
- 31 spinal segments with a pair (R/L) of spinal nerves for each
- C1-8, T1-12, L1-5, S1-5, C0 (coccygeal)
- do not match up exactly with vertebrae of same name
- C1-C7: spinal nerves superior
- C7: spinal nerve C8 emerges below
- T1 onwards: spinal nerves below associated vertebra
cell bodies in spinal cord
- axons within a nerve come from bodies at a prescribed level or segment
- leads to predictable patterns for locating pathologiesc
cauda equina
- collective mass of nerves below vertebral level L2
- spinal cord stops growing shortly after birth, but bones continue to
meninges of spinal cord
- extensions of brain meningeal coverings
1) pia mater: adheres tightly to spinal cord, outgrowths form denticulate ligaments and filum terminale
2) arachnoid mater
3) dura mater: thick single layer for stability, extends between adjacent vertebrae to fuse with CT layers surrounding spinal nerves
spaces in spinal cord meninges
1) subarachnoid space: between arachnoid and pia, contains CSF
2) subdural space: POTENTIAL space between dura and arachnoid
3) epidural space: between dura and periosteum, contains areolar CT, BVs and adipose tissue (cushions spinal cord)
denticulate ligament
- suspend and anchors cord laterally to dura mater
- preventing side to side movement
- looks like mesh/cobweb
dural sac
- dura and arachnoid mater
- extends to S2 (past end of spinal cord)
filum terminale
- outgrowth of pia that anchors spinal cord, preventing vertical movement
1) internum: extends from conus medularis to caudal end of dural sac - internum takes on layers of dura/arachnoid as it passes through and out of the dural sac to become:
2) externum (coccygeal ligament): extends through sacral hiatus to coccyx
lumbar cistern
- expanded subarachnoid space between L2-S2
- more CSF circulating around
lumbar puncture
- clinical procedure to sample CSF
- passes through: skin, back muscles, ligamentum flavum (pop because of CT resistance), epidural space, dura, arachnoid, subarachnoid space
epidural
- needle stops at epidural space
external surface of spinal cord
- contains 2 longitudinal depressions:
1) anterior median fissure: contains anterior spinal artery (veins run next to artery outside of the fissure)
2) posterior median sulcus - fissure deeper than sulcus
- extends along entire spinal cord
posterior rootlets
- pass through intervertebral foramen
- nerves for afferent sensory info
spinal cord white matter characteristics
- longitudinally along length of cord, external to grey matter
- fissures and sulci partition into columns and funiculi
- ascending tracts/columns = sensory info
- descending = motor
spinal cord white matter division
two sides connected by white commissure, each side has:
1) posterior column
- separated by: posterolateral sulcus, where posterior rootlets enter
2) lateral column
- separated by anterolateral sulcus, where anterior rootlets exit
3) anterior column
1 = ascending tracts
2 = descending tracts
spinal cord grey matter characteristics
- continuous column along length of cord
- contains nuclei
- butterfly shape
spinal cord grey matter divisions
1) posterior horn: sensory neurons and interneuron cell bodies
2) lateral horn (only T1-L2): visceral motor neurons
3) anterior horn (larger than posterior): somatic motor neurons
- R/L sides connected by grey commissure
central canal
- middle of spinal cord
- continuous with ventricles, contains CSF
regional variations in anterior horns
- enlarged at cervical (C5-T1) and lumbar (L2-S2) levels for somatic motor neurons of upper/lower limbs
regional variation in lateral horns
- T1-L2: visceral motor neurons, SNS preganglionic neurons
- S2-S4: no distinct lateral horns present because of large anterior horns, contain visceral motor neurons, PNS preganglionic neurons
regional variation in white matter
- decreases in cranial to caudal direction
- cord size in general decreases
spinal nerve
- posterior root and anterior root united
- anterior roots convey both somatic and visceral motor info
- posterior roots convey sensory input
anterior root lesions
- manifest motor signs in myotomal distribution
- myotome: group of muscles supplied by given spinal level
- ex. knee extension requires L3 myotome
dorsal root ganglion
- contains cell bodies of sensory neurons
posterior root lesions
- manifest sensory signs in dermatomal distribution
- dermatome: region of skin innervated by the sensory component of a given spinal level
anterior and posterior rami
- after leaving intervertebral foramen, spinal nerve splits into these
- posterior ramus: to back of body
- anterior ramus: to front of body
spinal nerve lesions
- manifest both sensory and motor signs
- location of signs helps to localize pathology
nerve plexus
- network of axons from anterior rami on R/L sides of body interweave fibers to form plexuses
- give information different routes to travel (if blocked in one path, can retain function by alternative route)
- four associated with spinal cord:
1) cervical: C1-4
2) brachial: C5-T1
3) lumbar: T12-L4
4) sacral: L4-S4
compound nerve
- anterior rami of some spinal nerves merge to form compound nerves
- carry axons from 2 or more spinal segment
- therefore, a muscle innervated by a compound nerve is controlled by >1 spinal segment
- ex. radial nerve for upper limb
brachial plexus palsy
- nerve trauma during birth leads to tearing of upper anterior rami
- loss of shoulder sensation and movement
- preservation of forearm and hand function because lower anterior rami are intact
reflexes
- involuntary motor response of muscles or glands evoked by specific stimulus to maintain homeostasis through rapid adjustments
- can be monosynaptic
components of a (non-visceral) reflex arc
1) stimulus activates sensory receptor
2) impulse travels through sensory neuron to CNS
3) motor neuron transmits impulse to effector (no interneuron)
4) effector responds
ipsilateral vs contralateral
- ipsi: stimulus/effect on same side of body
- contra: opposite sides
visceral reflexes
- autonomic reflexes initiated in viscera
- ex. bladder stretch when full
- all are polysynaptic
visceral reflex arc
1) stimulus activates sensory receptor
(2) nerve impulse travels through sensory neuron to CNS, but not to brain = long reflex)
*if skipped = short reflex
3) info processed in integration center by interneurons
4) motor neurons transmit impulse to effector
5) effector responds
parts of adult brain
1) forebrain: cerebral hemispheres and deep structures (diencephalon)
2) midbrain
3) hindbrain: includes cerebellum
*2/3 form brainstem
brainstem
- passageway for sensory/motor info, involuntary functions
- integrates body (spinal chord), cerebellum, cerebrum
- midbrain, pons, medulla
cerebrum function
conscious thought processes and intellectual functions
transverse fissure
- separates cerebellum from rest of brain
brain development
- starts as hollow neural tube
- disproportionate growth rates in different regions
1) 4 weeks to primary vesicles
2) 5 weeks to secondary vesicles
3) adult
primary vesicles in brain development
1) prosencephalon (forebrain)
2) mesencephalon (mid)
3) rhombencephalon (hind)
secondary vesicles in brain development
- prosencephalon divides into:
1) telencephalon (folds over to form cerebral hemisphere)
2) diencephalon - 3) mesencephalon (mid)
- rhombencephalon divides into:
4) metencephalon (pons, cerebellum
5) myelencephalon (medulla)
cerebrum structure
- paired cerebral hemispheres and deep structures
- surface called cerebral cortex
- covered by meninges
cerebral hemispheres
- same anatomy, different function
- separated by longitudinal fissure
cerebral cortex folding
- grey matter
- highly folded into gyri (bumps) and sulci (grooves)
cerebral cortex lobes
frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal, insula
division of lobes in cerebral cortex
1) central sulcus divides frontal and parietal loves
2) lateral fissure (very deep): divides temporal and frontal, insula lies within lateral fissure
3) parieto-occipital sulcus: divides parietal and occipital
4) cingulate sulcus: divides frontal and cingulate gyrus
5) calcarine sulcus: goes through occipital lobe
6) transverse fissure
precentral gyrus
- posterior part of frontal love
- contains primary motor area
postcentral gyrus
- anterior part of parietal lobe
- contains primary somatosensory area
limbic lobe
- not a discrete lobe, associated with other lobes
- formed by:
1) cingulate gyrus: frontal and parietal
2) parahippocampal gyrus: temporal
protective coverings of brain
1) cranium (skull bones)
2) cranial meninges
3) CSF (floating brain, nutrients)
4) blood-brain barrier: microscopic structure
brain cranial meninges function
- enclose and protect blood vessels
- contain and circulate CSF
brain cranial meninges structure
1) dura mater: thick (can’t see gyri/sulci), external, consists of TWO layers (periosteal adhered directly to bone and sutures, meningeal attached to arachnoid)
2) arachnoid: thin, avascular, lines meningeal layer of dura, trabeculae extend to pia (direct attachment), goes on top of sulci
3) pia: direct attachment to brain and spinal cord
potential spaces in cranial meninges
- above and below dura
- some normal spaces in specific locations
subarachnoid space in cranium
- between arachnoid and pia
- real space
- contains CSF
epidural hematoma
- torn branch of middle meningeal artery (under pterion)
- blood pools between periosteal dura and skull bone
- epidural space
- dura adheres to sutures, blood will not cross sutures –> biconcave lens shape
subdural hematoma
- tearing of cerebral veins
- skull does not break
- thrashing injuries, ex. whiplash
- blood accumulates between dura and arachnoid
- subdural space
- crescent shape, can freely move in cranial cavity
dural reflections
- meningeal layer of dura peels away from periosteal and folds back on itself
- hard CT plates that separate parts of the brain
major dural reflections
1) falx cerebri: biggest, separates R/L hemispheres, sits in superior longitudinal fissure
2) tentorium cerebelli: overlies cerebellum, sits in transverse fissure
3) diaphragma sellae: small, forms roof over sella turcica (sphenoid bone) and stabilizes pituitary gland
tentorial notch
opening created by tentorium cerebelli
venous sinuses
- created by (enclosed within) dural reflections
- drain blood from brain mainly to L/R internal jugular veins
- ex. superior sagittal sinus enclosed by falx cerebri
major venous sinuses (one on each side)
1) superior sagittal sinus: drains superficial cerebral veins of cortex
2) inferior sagittal sinus: drains floor of longitudinal fissure
3) straight sinus: drains internal structures and underside of brain
*1-3 meet at the confluence of sinuses (posterior), then pass through 4/5
4) transverse sinus: occipital bone
5) sigmoid sinus: passes through jugular foramen to connect to jugular vein
6) cavernous sinus: receives ophthalmic veins from orbit and rest of face, drains into 7/8
7) superior petrosal sinus: temporal bone
8) inferior petrosal sinus: temporal bone
brain ventricles
- cavities derived from lumen of neural tube
- filled with CSF produced by choroid plexus
- continuous with each other and spinal cord central canal
division of ventricles
1) 2 x lateral ventricles
- connected to 2) by interventricular foramen
2) 3rd ventricle: in diencephalon, between grey matter in midline
- connected to 3) by cerebral aqueduct
3) 4th ventricle: between pons/medulla and cerebellum
4th ventricle continuous with…
- subarachnoid space
- medial aperture
- 2 x lateral aperture (extend into cerebellum)
structure of lateral ventricles
1) anterior horn
2) body
3) posterior horn
4) inferior horn
- get further apart moving anterior to posterior
- separated by septum pellucidum
3rd ventricle structure
lateral walls formed by thalamus and hypothalamus
grey matter in brain
cerebral cortex and basal nuclei (deep)
cerebrospinal fluid
- formed by blood plasma pumped out of capillaries through ependymal cells into ventricles
- found in all ventricles
- supports/cushions brain, preventing it from getting sucked through foramen magnum
- transports nutrients to brain
- removes waste from brain
- continuous exchange between brain parenchyma and CSF
choroid plexus
- ependymal cells
- fenestrate capillaries that lie within pia matter
CSF circulation
- circulates through ventricles
- enters subarachnoid space via median/lateral apertures of 4th ventricle
- excess CSF drains into dural venous sinuses via arachnoid granulations (collection of villi mostly in superior sagittal sinus)
hydrocephalus
- “water on the brain”
- can be congenital or acquired
- increased CSF volume, enlargement of one or more ventricles, leading to intracranial pressure
causes of hydrocephalus
1) obstructive: blockage in ventricular system (localized increase in fluid)
2) non-obstructive: inadequate removal of CSF from brain (global increase in fluid)
blood brain barrier
- regulates what substances can enter interstitial fluid of brain
- perivascular feet of astrocytes and capillary endothelial cells (continuous: tight junctions block movement of molecules paracellularly)
white matter tracts
- carry info towards or away from neuronal cell bodies of cerebral cortex
- connect different parts of brain
groups of white matter tracts
1) commissural fibers: correct corresponding lobes between hemispheres
2) projection fibers: cerebral cortex to sub-cortical structures (ex. thalamus, spinal cord)
3) association fibers: interconnect cortical regions within same hemisphere
types of association fibers
- short: connect adjacent gyri
- long: connect lobes within same hemisphere