Neurophysiology 1 Flashcards
What is the Brain and Spinal Cord protected by?
Brain protected by the Scalp.
Spinal Cord protected by the Vertebral Column.
What are Sulci and Gyri and what do they do?
This is in the brain, the Sulcus are the grooves (pits) and the Gyrus are the ridges (troughs) - these allow more cerebral cortex to be accommodated in a fixed position.
What are Oligodendrocytes?
A cell concerned with the production of myelin in the Central Nervous System, to insulate the neurons
What are the 3 protective layers of connective tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord?
Dura Mater - outer layer: tough and durable
Arachnoid Mater - middle layer: spider (web). Fibrous filament
Pia Mater - inner layer: closely associated with the surface of the brain. It is tender and soft.
What is Meningitis?
Inflammation of the Meninges.
It is bacterial and often caused by meningococcal.
How to test for Meningitis?
Glass test - quick way to test. Roll a clear glass over the rash: if it doesn’t disappear then go to the hospital.
What is the treatment for Meningitis?
Treatment: as fast as possible.
Benzylpenicillin - first line
Cefotaxime - if allergies
Hospitalisation
Spacing between Dura, Arachnoid and Pia?
There is no space between Dura and Arachnoid.
The space between the Arachnoid and Pia is the ‘Subarachnoid Space’ - protective fluid: cerebrospinal fluid - flows around the brain and spinal chord.
What is a subarachnoid haemorrhage?
After head injury, this is when there is a bleed on the brain - in this sense happening in the subarachnoid space.
Where is Epidural Pain Relief carried out?
Spinal chord extends 2/3 length of spine, not the whole way down the back.
Individual neurones in the lower 1/3.
Epidural pain relief and lumbar puncture are carried out in this lower region. If you go higher, you risk damaging the spinal chord.
What are the functions of Cerebral Spinal Fluid?
1) CSF protects brain and spinal cord from trauma. 2) CSF supplies nutrients to nervous system tissue. 3) CSF removes waste products from cerebral metabolism.
150mL bathes the CNS, and 500mL is produced each day.
How is Cerebral Spinal Fluid produced?
Produced by structures called ‘choroid plexuses’.
These are specialised capillary-like structures found in the ventricles in the brain - fluid filled cavities in the brain.
What is the route Cerebral Spinal Fluid?
Capillaries secrete fluid into the Right and Left lateral ventricle.
The lateral ventricles join together by a canal structure: Foramen of Monro.
Fluid flows down into the 3rd ventricle: fluid filled chamber.
Fluid then moves down the cerebral aqueduct into the 4th ventricle.
What 2 routes can Cerebral Spinal Fluid flow in?
Some flow down the central canal - this fluid will bathe the spinal column.
Some flows out of this structure into the subarachnoid space: flows around the brain.
How does Cerebral Spinal Fluid drain?
Fluid flows around the brain up to the top and moves into sinus cavity which is full of venous blood.
This drains into the Jugular.
