Protection of the brain Flashcards
what are the 3 ways the brain is protected?
- the skull
- Meninges
- Cerebral spinal fluid (CFS)
structure of the skulls
2 layers of compact bone with spongy bone found inbetween
characteristics of spongy bone
trabecule are interconnecting rods forming a loose matrix
spaces filled with bone marrow + BVs
the loose matrix structure allows force to be spread away from point-of-contact providing strength
characteristics of compact bone
dense layers
very hard but brittal
what are meninges
a series of connective tissue membranes
where are meninges found
between skull and brain
what are the 2 layers / types of meninges? outer-> inner
Outer: Dura
Arachnoid
inner: Pia
dura
2 strong connective tissue layers fused together
the out layer is attached to inner layer of compact bone of skull
Arachnoid
a loose brain covering
contains arachnoid villi which extend from arachnoid to pia allowing CFS to be reabsorped
Pia
delicate inner layer of meninges rich in BVs and tightly clings to contours of cerebral hemispheres
what is the area between dura and arachnoid meninges called?
subdural space (fluid filled)
what is the area between arachnoid and pia called?
subarachnoid space, containing CFS and BVs to/from brain
what does CFS do?
acts as a cushion for the brain and feeds the brains 4 vesicles
what connects ventricle 3+4 allowing CFS to flow between?
cerebral aquaduct (found in midbrain)
where is CFS produced
in the choroid plexus in the epithalamus
