Protection of the CNS

Question 1

What is the outer layer of the meninges known as?

Answer 1

Dura Mater

Question 2

What is the innermost layer of the meninges known as?

Answer 2

Pia Mater

Question 3

What is the middle layer of the meninges known as?

Answer 3

Arachnoid Mater

Question 4

What is the subdural space?

Answer 4

The potential space separating the dura and arachnoid maters

Question 5

What is the subarachnoid space?

Answer 5

The area that separates the arachnoid and the pia mater.

Question 6

What fluid is contained in the subarachnoid space?

Answer 6

Cerebrospinal fluid

Question 7

What is the name of the type of fluid found in very small amounts in the subdural space?

Answer 7

Serous Fluid

Question 8

Briefly describe the dura mater in relation to the brain.

Answer 8

Two layers of dense fibrous tissue
Outer layer takes place of periosteum on the inner surface of skull and inner layer provides protective covering for the brain.

Question 9

Where does the spinal dura mater start and end?

Answer 9

Begins at the Foramen Magnum and ends at the 2nd Sacral Vertebrae.

Question 10

What are the falx’s in the brain?

Answer 10

Falx Cerebri
Falx Cerebelli
Tentorium cerebelli (Tent of the cerebellum)

Question 11

Which layer of the cerebral dura mater extends to form the spinal dura mater?

Answer 11

Inner layer

Question 12

What is the epidural space?

Answer 12

The area which separates the spinal dura mater from the periosteum of the vertebrae and ligaments within the neural canal.

Question 13

What is contained in the epidural space?

Answer 13

Blood vessels and areolar connective tissue

Question 14

What attaches the spinal dura mater along it’s length

Answer 14

Strands of fibrous tissue attached to the posterior ligament at intervals

Question 15

What function do the attachments of the spinal dura mater to ligaments along it’s length perform?

Answer 15

Stabilises the spinal cord

Question 16

What tissue makes up the arachnoid mater?

Answer 16

Fibrous tissue

Question 17

What tissue makes up the pia mater?

Answer 17

Delicate layer of connective tissue containing many blood vessels

Question 18

What is the filum terminale?

Answer 18

Continuation of the pia mater beyond the spinal cord

Question 19

Which layers of the meninges fuse with the periosteum of the coccyx?

Answer 19

Dura mater and pia mater

Question 20

List the components of CSF.

Answer 20

Water
Mineral Salts
Glucose
Plasma Proteins
Leukocytes
Creatinine
Urea

Question 21

List functions of CSF

Answer 21

1) Maintains uniform pressure around vital structures - cushioning and shock absorbing the brain and spinal cord
2) Keeps Brain and SC moist
3) Thought to be involved in breathing as it bathes the surface of the medulla (site of respiratory chemoreceptors)

Question 22

What function do choroid plexuses perform?

Answer 22

They secrete CSF into the ventricles of the brain

Question 23

What are the names of the ventricles of the brain?

Answer 23

Right and left lateral ventricles
Third Ventricle
Fourth Ventricle