Neurology Flashcards
What components makeup neuron
Dendrites
Cell body
Axon
Axon terminal/synaptic terminal
What does the axon hillock contain
High concentration of voltage gated Na+ channels
Function of dendrites
Involved in graded potentials
What are graded potentials?
Little changes in the voltage of the cell membrane to try to make the cell have the ability to generate action potentials
This is comprised of the EPSP (depolarisation) and IPSP hyperpolarisation
Takes place within ligand-gated channel of dendrites
Function of cell body
graded potentials protein synthesis (NT, enzymes, membrane proteins)
What is the name of RER in the neuron
Nissl bodies
Function of Axon
Conduct Action Potential
Action potential consists of a depolarisation wave followed by a repolarisation wave
Axonal transport
Retrograde: Axon terminal to the cell body
Anterograde: Cell body to axon terminal
Function of axon terminal
Secretory region (neurotransmitter released) Reuptake of neurotransmitter
How to remove neurotransmitters from a synapse (NT termination)
Reuptake
Degradation
Structural classification of neuron
1 multipolar (3+ dendritic extension).
- bipolar (1 dendritic extension). Found in the retina, olfactory epithelium, and inner ear.
- pseudo unipolar. Found in dorsal root ganglion + CN5
Functional classification of neurons
Sensory (afferent)
Motor (efferent)
interneurons (within CNS)
What is the resting membrane potential
The voltage difference across cells when the cell is at rest
It exists in all cells
RMP: -70mV → -90mV
Describe how resting potential is established
- 3Na+/2K+ ATPase channels: This causes the cell to be slightly negatively. Generate concentration gradient for ions to move
- Leaky K+ channels (more permeable than Na+): K+ leaves cells due to concentration gradient. Since it’s bound to an anion, it leaves it behind, increasing the negative charge in the cell.
- Leaky Na+ Channel: Na+ moves into the cell due to conc gradient.
Nernst potential
Same for Na+
E(K+) =61.5 x log10 (K(out)/K(in))
Where does graded potential occur
Postsynaptic neurons
Difference between graded potential and action potential
The graded potential is when potential is reached either at threshold potential or slightly above the threshold potential
why?
The ESPS produced may not be enough to reach threshold frequency as they lost their strength.
Graded potential also needs a stimulus
Summation can help to reach threshold potential
What is temporal summation
What is the spatial summation
One presynaptic neuron repeatedly stimulates a postsynaptic neuron.
Multiple presynaptic neurones firing simultaneously on one postsynaptic neuron
How do you get to action potential
RMP → T.P → Action potential
Describe action potential
Depolarisation
- Once the action potential reaches -55mV, the Na+ channel opens and allows Na+ to enter the axon. Na+ channels close once action potential reaches +30mV. The action potential travels down to the terminal bulb
- Calcium channels open when the action potential reaches +30mV. Causes the synaptic vesicles to fuse with the cell membrane. Releases contents
Repolarisation
- At +30mV opens up voltage-gated K+ channel. Allow for potassium to exit the cell.
- +30mV → -90mV
- The repolarisation of the K+ channels closes the Ca+ channel
Where can you find glial cells
PNS & CNS
What makes up nervous tissue
Glial cells and neurons
Where do you find astrocytes
CNS
What is the blood-brain barrier
3 layer innermost→ outermost
- Endothelial cells, lots of tight junctions (control permeability)
- Basal lamina
- foot processes of astrocytes
Also contains pericytes
What is it called when parts of the brain lack blood-brain barrier
Circumventricular organs e.g posterior pituitary, need to be in contact with blood for the sensory role
What do glial cells do?
Blood-brain barrier- makes tight junctions
Potassium buffer
Removes excess neurotransmitter
Glycogen reserve
Oligodendrocytes function
- Myelinate axons in CNS + CN2
- Myelinate 30-60 axons
- When there is damage there is no ability to regenerate
- Demyelination = multiple sclerosis
Schwann cells function
- Myelinates axons in PNS + CN 3-12
- Myelinate segments of one axon
- If damaged can regenerate
What are spaces between Schwann cells called?
Nodes of Ranvier- concentrated with voltage-gated ion channel
Why does myelination increase action potential speed (permeability)
Nodes of Ranvier contain voltage-gated sodium channels allowing sodium to enter. There are no Na+ channels present where there is myelination.
This means that there are periods where no depolarisation occurs until the action potential reaches another node of Ranvier to become stimulated.
The same occurs with K+ leaving the axons.
How does myelination speed up action potential speed?
Decrease permeability at the myelin sheaths
Myelination also decreases membrane capacitance
What increases conduction velocity
Diameter
Myelination
What is the blood CSF barrier made up of?
1: Fenestrated Endothelial cells
2: Basal lamina
3: Ependymal cells (tight junctions)
Ependymal cells function
Controls the movement of substances across the blood CSF barrier
Microglia cells
Acts as an immune system cell
Specialised macrophage cell
Phagocytosis
Can secrete toxins that could potentially affect neural tissue
Boundaries of frontal lobe
Central sulcus
Lateral sulcus
What does the front lobe contain
Motor Cortex
Broca’s Area
Another name for primary motor cortex
Broadman area 4
Broca’s area
Stimulating muscles of speech
Right-handed → left Broca
Communicates with Wernicke’s area
Boundaries of parietal lobe
Central sulcus (ant)
Lateral sulcus (inf)
Parieto-occipital sulcus (post)
What does the parietal lobe contain
Primary somatosensory cortex
Consciousness, awareness of somatic sensations
Somatosensory association cortex
Analysing sensations, recognition of sensations, memory storage
Temporal lobe boundaries
Lateral sulcus
Pre occipital notch
The cortexes of temporal lobe
auditory cortex
Wernicke’s area
Boundaries of the occipital lobe
Parieto-occipital sulcus
Pre-occipital notch
Occipital cortex
Primary Visual cortex
Conscious awareness of visual stimuli
Visual association cortex
Visual stimuli → meaning + understanding
Components of basal ganglia
Caudate nucleus
Putamen
Globus pallidus (internal + external)
Thalamus (VA nucleus + VL nuceus)
Subthalamic nuclei
Substantia nigra
Striatum composition
Caudate nucleus + putamen
Lentiform nucleus
Putamen
Globus pallidus
Basal Ganglia function
Involved with movements:
Stop
Start
Modulation
What is the purpose of direct pathway of basal ganglia
increase motor activity
Neurons from the cortex move down to the striatum (Glutamate)
→ Globus pallidus internus (GABA) → Thalamus (GABA) → Cortex
Glutamate is what kind of neurotransmitter
stimulatory neurotransmitter
What kind of neurotransmitter is GABA
inhibitory transmitter
Indirect pathway of basal ganglia
Decrease unwanted motor activity
Cortex → (Glutamate) Striatum → (GABA) Globulus pallidus externus → (GABA) Subthalamic nucleus → (Glutamate) Globus pallidus internus → (GABA) Thalamus VA + VL → Cortex
Nigrostriatal pathway
Modulation (amplify) of activity
Direct pathway: neurons attach from the zona compacta of substantia nigra to the striatum nucleus via the D1 receptor (stimulatory receptor) and release dopamine.
Indirect pathway: neurons from zona compacta of substantia nigra attach to the striatum via D2 receptors (inhibitory receptors)
What is diencephalon
A grey matter substance deep within the cerebrum
What makes up the diencephalon
Hypothalamus
Epithalamus (Pineal gland, habenula, post commissure)
Sub-thalamus
Hypothalamus function
Limbic system
Endocrine system
Autonomic NS
What is the limbic system involved?
Emotions and behaviours
olfaction
Memory and learning
What is the function of the mammillary bodies
Reflex with olfaction
Formation of new memories
What kind of memory is the hypothalamus involved in
Long term memory
Explicit: Conscious memory
Episodic
Semantic
Implicit: Unconscious memory
Skills and habits
Conditioned reflex
Emotion
What is the thalamus
Paired midline structure in the brain
Contains multiple nuclei: Relay + Association function
What sensations pass through the thalamus?
All sensation except olfactory pass through it
Anatomy of the limbic system
Limbic lobe (Cingulate gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus)
Hippocampus (Memory)
Amygdala (Emotions and behaviours)
Hypothalamus
Thalamus
Septal area
Habenula
What is the hippocampus involved in
Memory
What is the amygdala responsible for
Emotions and behaviour
What is the fornix
Connection from hippocampus to septal area and hypothalamus
What is the papez circuit responsible for and how does it work?
Part of the limbic system involved in-memory processing and learning
- Hippocampus
- Fornix
- Mammillary bodies
- Mammilothalmic
- The anterior nucleus of the thalamus
- Internal capsule
- Cingulate gyrus
- Parahippocampal gyrus
- Dentate gyrus
- Subiculum
What is the midbrain consist of?
Tectum (inferior + superior colliculi)
Cerebral peduncle (tegmentum + crus cerebri)
Surrounds cerebral aqueduct
What is the medulla oblongata continuous with?
Spinal cord
What is pons
Bridge to cerebellum
Functions of cerebellum
Balance
Equilibrium
Motor learning
coordination
muscle tone
The internal circuitry of the cerebellum
Sensory pathway → mossy fibres → granule cells → Purkinje fibres
Inferior Olives→ climbing fibres
Meninges
Pia mater (innermost)
Subarachnoid space
Arachnoid mater
Subdural space
Dura matter (inner: meningeal & outer: periosteal)
Epidural space
Skullbone
Scalp
Dural septa
Falx cerebri
Tentorium cerebelli
Falx cerebelli
Diaphragm sellae
Important to surround and protect dural sinuses
Epidural hematoma
Location: Epidural space (Temporal bone fracture)
Cause: Temporal bone fracture affecting middle meningeal artery
Symptoms: Headache, nausea/vomiting, CN3 palsy
Management: Evacuate hematoma, Maintain intracranial pressure
Subdural Hematoma
Location: Subdural space
Cause: Motor vehicle accident, Trauma, falls
Symptoms: vary, headaches, high BP, Low pulse, Confusion
Management: Evacuate hematoma
Subarachnoid hematoma
Location: Subarachnoid space
Cause: Berry (saccular) aneurysm, Ruptures
Symptoms: Thunderclap headache, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, photophobia, delirium
Management: Supportive care
Decrease BP
Intracerebral hematoma
Location: Thalamus, Basal ganglia, Cerebellum, Pons
Cause: Hypertension, amyloid deposits
Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, headache, hemiplegia
What are the component of CNS
Brain
Spinal cord
What are the component of PNS
Sensory component
Motor component
=spinal nerves
Spinal cord where does it terminate
L1/L2
Segments of spinal cord + spinal nerves
Cervical (8 pairs of spinal nerves)
Thoracic (12 pairs of spinal nerves)
Lumbar (5 pairs of spinal nerves)
Sacral (5 pairs of spinal nerves)
Coccygeal (1 pair of spinal nerves)
To remember: You have breakfast at 7, lunch at 12, dinner at 5 and a big drink and a small dessert.
White matter: cervical → coccygeal
Decrease in white matter
Grey matter: cervical → coccygeal
Increase in grey matter
What part of the spinal cord contains sensory neurons
Posterior/Dorsal grey horn
What part of the spinal cord contains motor neurons
Anterior/Ventral grey horn
What are group of cell bodies (axons) in CNS + PNS called
CNS: nucleus
PNS: ganglia
What is the grey matter?
Grey matter containing unmyelinated dendrites
Divisions of grey matter
Posterior grey horn -Most posterior is somatic sensations, and anterior to that is visceral sensations.
Lateral grey zone- Visceral motor
Anterior grey horn - Somatic motor
A Gray commissure connects two sides of the horn
Rexed laminae
10 in grey matter
Laminae I-III: Substania gelatinosa
Laminae VII: Clarkes Column (C8-L3)
Laminae IX: motor supply
What is white matter
Structure of spinal cord containing myelinated axons
Parts of white matter
Dorsal white column
Lateral white column
Anterior white column
Anterior white commisure
The tracts of the white column
Ascending tract (Sensory)
Descending (motor)
Dorsal Column Medial Leminiscal pathway carries what sensations?
Discriminative touch
Pressure & Stretch & Vibrations
Proprioception
What tract is the DCML
Sensory Ascending tract
Receptors in DCML
Meissner’s Corpuscles
Merkel’s discs
Pacinian corpuscles
Peritrichial nerve endings
Ruffini corpuscles
DCML Pathway
Stimulus → Receptors → afferent neurons →Dorsal root ganglia →
Either:
Fasciculus gracilis (Below T6)→ Nucleus gracilis (2nd order neurons- medulla)
Fasciculus cuneatus (Above T6) → Nucleus cuneatus (2nd order neurons)
Medial leminiscus→ VPL nucleus of the thalamus → Posterior ⅓ Internal capsule → corona Radiata → Somatosensory cortex
DCML contralateral/ipsilateral
Ipsilateral at the level of spinal cord
Contralateral once you get to internal arcuate fibres
Spinothalamic Tract Division
Ant: crude touch, pressure
Lat: pain, temp
Receptors of Spinothalamic Tract
Nociceptors: tissue damage and extreme temp
Fast pain (A-delta fibres), stimulated my mechanical stimuli, and cold temp
Slow pain (C fibres), stimulated by mechanical stimuli, hot temp, chemical factors
Merkel’s disc stimulated by crude touch and pressure
Where do neurons from the spinothalamic tract enter the spinal cord
Rexed laminae
crosses to contralateralside of the spinal cord to anterior white commissure
Spinothalamic lesions
Has ascending and descending tracts (Tract of Lisshauer)
A lesion will result in 2 segments down and on the contralateral side being injured
Crude touch and pressure spinothalamic tract
Stimulus → Receptor → Dorsal root ganglia (1st order neuron) → Rex lemniscus (dorsal grey horn + 2nd order neuron) cross over anterior commissure ventral white column→ ventral posterior inferior thalamic nucleus → Internal capsule → corona Radiata → cortex
Pain and temp pathway spinothalamic tract
Stimulus → Receptor → Dorsal root ganglia → Rex lemniscus .. → Lateral Spinothalamic Tract → Ventral posterior lateral nucleus in the thalamus → internal capsule → corona Radiata → cortex
Pain modulation systems
Gate control theory (Melzack-wall pain gate)
Descending analgesic system
What is the regulatory for slow pain
C fibres unmyelinated, short axon.
Secrete Substance P
What is the regulatory for fast pain
A Delta fibre - myelinated long axon
Glutamate
Gate control theory
Touch receptors are stimulated and travel via DCML giving off collateral stimulating inhibitory receptors to prevent inhibit pain and temp action potential
Spino cerebellar Tract subdivided
Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tract
Ventral Spinocerebellar Tract
Cuneo cerebellar Tract
Spino-olivary tract
(Dirty Virgins Cant Spit)
Spinocerebellar tract stimulus
Proprioception:
Muscle spindles: Type 1a (faster) type 1b
Golgi tendon organ
Touch + Pressure
Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tract
Ipsilateral. Below L2
Stimulus → Receptor → Dorsal root ganglia → Clarke’s nucleus (dorsal grey horn) → Lateral white column → Inferior cerebellar peduncle
Ventral Spinocerebellar Tract
Contralateral. Upper limbs (head + neck)
Stimulus → Receptor → Dorsal Root ganglion → Dorsal grey horn → Cross over via anterior white commissure → Superior cerebellar peduncle → Crosses over AGAIN!!!!!
Cuneocerebellar tract
Ipsilateral
Stimulus → Receptor → Dorsal Root Ganglia → Posterior grey horn → accessory cuneate nucleus → External arcuate fibres → Cerebellum
Inferior Olivary nuclei
Contralateral
Stimulus → Receptor → Dorsal root ganglion → Posterior grey horn → Crosses over via anterior white commissure → Inferior Olivary nucleus → Inferior cerebellar peduncle via climbing fibres → cerebellum
Corticobulbar Tract
Bilateral
Origin: motor cortex
Destination: CN5, CN7, CN12
Nucleus ambiguous (CN9, 10, 11)
Function:
CN5-Muscles of mastication
CN7- Muscles of Facial expression
Nucleus ambiguous- Soft palate, Uvula, Pharynx, Larynx
CN12-muscles of tongue
Corticospinal tract
control of voluntary muscles
Lateral (75%): pyramidal (medulla) decussation - limb muscles
Medial (25%): decussates as it leaves via the anterior white commissure (
Reticulospinal tract
Descending
Spinal reflexes
Medial pathway: Pons controls extensors to increase muscle tone thereby facilitatory voluntary movement
Lateral pathway: The medulla controls flexors acting to decrease muscle tone thereby inhibiting voluntary movement
What is the extrapyramidal tract responsible for?
Involuntary autonomic movement
Descending pathway
What vertebrae should a lumbar puncture be performed
L3/L4
What is the filum terminale
Extension of pia mater attaches onto the coccyx prevents the spinal cord from moving
Denticulate nucleus
When pia mater extends onto the outer dura forms these ligaments
Extrafusal fibres functions
Connect with tendons
Generate movement
Intrafusal fibres function
Proprioceptors
Length and velocity
Consist of:
Nuclear bag fibres
Nuclear chain fibres
Nuclear bag fibres
More sensitive than nuclear chain fibers to :
Length and velocity
Nuclear chain fibers
More specific to length
Nuclear bag fibres vs nuclear chain fibres
Type 1a fibres + gamma motor neurons in nuclear bag fibres
type 1a + 2 fibres + gamma motor neurons in nuclear chain fibres
Type 1a muscle fibres sensory or motor
Sensory
Type 2 muscle fibres sensory or motor
Sensory
Gamma motor neurons sensory or motor
Motor
What reflex is the stretch reflex
Monosynaptic
Stretch receptor reflex
Ipsilateral
Stimulus → type 1a + 2 fibres (sensory) → ventral grey horn → Synapses with motor neuron
It also synapses with interneurons to inhibit opposite muscles (reciprocal inhibition)
Both receptors act on the extra-fusal muscles
What do the gamma motor neurons stimulate
Muscle spindle fibres contract where the stimulus is detected
Inhibits the opposite muscle spindle fibres
Upper motor neuron lesion leads to
What innervates the Golgi tendon organ
Type 1b muscle fibres
What does tendon connect
muscle -> bone
What does the golgi tendon organ detect
Tension due to muscle contraction
Golgi tendon organ reflex
Muscle contraction → type 1b fibres → Dorsal root ganglia → posterior grey horn →
Reciprocal Activation: Interneuron inhibitory (Glycine)→ gamma motor neuron → inhibits muscle that is experiencing contraction
Autogenic Inhibition: Interneuron stimulatory (Glutamate) → Gamma motor neuron → stimulates the opposing muscle that isn’t experiencing contraction
UMN lesions condition examples
Stroke
Multiple sclerosis
ALS
LMN lesions conditions called?
Polio
Spinal muscular atrophy
Cauda Equina syndrome
ALS
Clasp knife reflex
A spasticity test
A physical exam to assess the passive flexion movement. If there is spasticity there will be a lot of resistance during flexion until it does a sudden flexion movement
UMN lesion characteristics
Mass: ⇣15-20%
Strength: Spastic paralysis
Tone: ⇡ hypertonia
Deep tendon reflexes: ⇡ hyperreflexia
LMN lesion characteristics
Mass: ⇣80%
Strength: flaccid paralysis
Tone: ⇣hypotonia
Deep Tendon Reflexes: ⇣hyporeflexia
5 facial branches of the facial nerve
Temporal
Zygomatic
Buccal
Marginal Mandibular
Cervical
Bells palsy
The unilateral facial droop in at least lower ⅔ of face
The forehead has both contralateral and ipsilateral innervation
The face has only contralateral innervation
LMN means paralysis of all the sides of that face, the ipsilateral side as a lesion.
UMN lesions mean that lower ⅔ of the contralateral side
How can PNS be subdivided
Sensory
Motor
How can motor PNS be further subdivided?
Autonomic and Somatic
Autonomic is further subdivided: into SNS, PSNS, Enteric
What chemical does the somatic NS secrete
Ach
Difference between the autonomic and somatic NS
Somatic: one motor neuron to reach the effector organ
Autonomic: Takes two motor neurons (preganglionic + postganglionic) to reach the effector organ
What is the thoracolumbar outflow
T1-L2
Contains the preganglionic fibres of the autonomic sympathetic nervous system
PSNS vs SNS diff in ganglion
PSNS: Long preganglionic Short postganglionic
SNS: Short preganglionic, Long postganglionic
Fibers that release Ach are called
Cholinergic fibres
What chemical does SNS secrete?
Norepinephrine therefore adrenergic fibers
What fibres are presynaptic ganglion
Cholinergic therefore secrete Ach
What fibres are postsynaptic ganglion
Adrenergic → NE
There are 5 subtypes of adrenergic
SNS on heart
Increase heart rate
Increase CO
Increase BP
Autonomic SNS effect on oesophagus + bronchioles+ lungs
Oesophagus: Decrease peristalsis
Bronchioles: dilate bronchioles. Decrease secretions and vasoconstriction of brachial arteries
SNS effect on the stomach
Inhibit peristalsis
decrease absorption and secretions
SNS on liver + gallbladder
Liver : Increase Glycogenolysis
Gall bladder: Decrease Biliary Tree flow
SNS effect on the pancreas + spleen
Pancreas: Decrease insulin production
Increase Glucagon production
Spleen: Decrease splenic contraction
SNS on stomach
Decrease peristalsis
Decrease absorption
Decrease secretion
SNS effect on kidney
Decrease urine production
Decrease blood flow
Increase in renin release
Decrease peristalsis
SNS on large + small intestine
Inhibit peristalsis
SNS on urinary bladder
Detrusor muscle: decrease contractions
Internal urethral spincter: increase contractions/constriction
SNS on gonads
Male: Ejaculation
Female: Uterine contraction (nonpregnant)
What parts affect SNS control
Limbic nuclei
Hypothalamus
PNS effect on lungs (bronchi)
Bronchoconstriction
Increase secretions
PNS on heart
SA/AV node: Decrease heart rate
Decrease blood pressure
PNS on oesophagus
Increase peristlasis
PNS effect on the stomach
Increase in motility
Increase secretions
Where would you find cholinergic receptors
PNS
How many subtypes of cholinergic fibres do you have?
Nicotinic: Ach + nicotine
-Ion channels are ligand-gated
Muscarinic: Muscarine + Ach
-G protein-coupled receptors
What role Ach do in the brain
Increase memory
Arousal
Analgesia
Olfactory CN 1
Optic nerve 2
Oculomotor CNIII
Origin: Midbrain
Structure supplying: S.Rectus, Levator palpebrae sp, I rectus, I oblique, medial rectus, pupil, ciliaris
Fibres: GSE, GVE
Function: Eye movement, eyelid movement, accommodation of pupil size
Exit skull: Superior orbital fissure
Motor
Trochlear nerve
What C1 of the cervical plexus run alongside with
CN12
Superficial Cervical plexus nerves
Brachial plexus
Lumbar plexus
Left eye visual field
Temporal - left
Nasal - right
Right eye visual field
Nasal - left
Temporal - right
Superior retinal fibres?
Go to parietal lobe (Baums loop)
Inferior Retinal fibres?
Go to temporal loop
(Myers loop)
Monocular Blindness
Lesion to optic nerve
Bitemporal Hemianopia
Lesion to the optic chiasm
Binasal kemianopia
Affects ipsilateral fibres
Visual eye fields
Left/Right homonymous hemianopia
Left inferior quadrant hemianopia
If the right superior retinal fibres are damaged you are losing vision of the inferior visual field of the left side
We know that anything coming from the right side damages the left eye/visual field. But superior retinal fibres only pick up information from the inferior visual field.
Right superior quadrant hemianopia
Inferior retinal fibres only pick up information from the superior visual field.
Therefore wont be able to see on the Superior right visual field
optic radiation
Parietal - inferior retinal fibres (Baum’s loop)
Temporal- superior retinal fibres (Meyer’s loop)
Left homonymous hemianopia
Damage to right optic radiation
There is visual field loss of the right visual field
Cochlear pathway
Sound wave → Oracle → External acoustic meatus → Sound wave hits the tympanic membrane (vibrates-compresses + decompresses) → ossicles (malleus → incus → stapes) → oval window → scala vestibuli → scala media → scala tympani → round window → cochlear branch of CN VIII
Ascending auditory pathway
Cochlear branch of CN VIII → Internal acoustic meatus → Cochlei nucleus →
Cochlea nuclei
→ Dorsal cochlear nuclei + Posterior ventral cochlear nuclei: Cross over and ascend to the nucleus of the lateral lemniscus
→Anterior Ventral nuclei Contralateral (area know as trapezoid body) + Ipsilateral → Superior Olivary Nuclei
Tract joins (lateral lemniscus) → Inferior colliculus → medial geniculate nucleus → Primary auditory cortex →
Hearing is
Bilateral
Nucleus of the lateral lemniscus cross over + inferior colliculus
Give 3 functions of the cranial meninges.
- Protects the brain and spinal cord form injury.
- Provides a framework for cerebral and cranial vasculature.
- Provides a space for the flow of CSF.
What are the 3 meningeal layers?
- Dura mater (outermost).
- Arachnoid mater.
- Pia mater (innermost).
What are the 2 connective tissue sheets of dura mater?
- Endosteal layer - lines the cranium.
- Meningeal layer.
Where are the dural venous sinuses located?
Between the endosteal layer of dura and the meningeal layer.
What vein do the dural venous sinuses drain into?
The internal jugular veins.
Name 3 locations where the dura mater folds inwards as dural reflections?
- Falx cerebri.
- Tentorium cerebelli.
- Falx cerebelli.
Where is the falx cerebri located?
It lies in the longitudinal fissure between the cerebral hemispheres.
Where is the tentorium cerebelli located?
The tentorium cerebelli is a thick fibrous roof lying over the posterior cranial fossa and the cerebellum.
Where is the falx cerebelli located?
Between the 2 lobes of the cerebellum.
What lies beneath the arachnoid mater?
The subarachnoid space containing CSF and arteries.
What is the function of the blood-brain barrier?
It protects the brain by preventing the passage of some substances from circulation into the nervous tissue.
Which meningeal layers are highly vascularised?
The dura and pia mater. The arachnoid mater is avascular.
What are the 2 main arteries that supply blood to the brain?
- Vertebral arteries.
- Internal carotid arteries.
Which arteries supply about 80% of blood to the brain?
The internal carotid arteries.