The Brain and Spinal Cord Flashcards

1
Q

What does the central nervous system encompass?

A
  • Brain
  • Spinal Cord
  • Cavities (immersed in cerebrospinal fluid)
  • Nerves
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What cavity is the brain located in?

A

The cranial cavity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

The cranial cavity is a subdivision of?

A

The dorsal cavity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How much does the brain weigh?

A

3 lbs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the protective coverings over the brain?

A

Meninges

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the brain surrounded by?

A

Cerebrospinal fluid that cushions and provides buoyancy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the brain/nerve network responsible for?

A

Transmitting electrochemical messages in the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

The brain contains regions of what?

A

White and grey matter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the 3 main regions of the brain?

A

1) Cerebrum
2) Cerebellum
3) Brainstem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is white matter?

A

Brain tissue composed of nerve axons that are covered with myelin.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is myelin?

A

Fatty tissue that helps conduction of nerve impulses (gives white matter it’s “white” appearance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What do axons do?

A

Carry the nerve impulses between neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is grey matter?

A

Composed of nerve cell bodies, which are unmyelinated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the nerve cell bodies?

A

Control centres that route sensory and motor stimuli and create a response.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the largest part of the brain?

A

The cerebrum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How is the cerebrum divided?

A

Left and right hemispheres

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How are the right and left hemispheres connected?

A

In the midline by the corpus callosum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What separates the right and left hemispheres?

A

The falx cerebri

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How are the left and right hemispheres divided?

A

Each hemisphere divides into 4 lobes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What type of matter is the cerebrum?

A

Both white and grey

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the grey matter of the cerebrum?

A
  • Outer layer of the cortex

- The basal nuclei (deep in midline)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the white matter of the cerebrum?

A

Lies deep in the cortex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are the 4 lobes of the cerebral hemispheres?

A

1) Frontal lobe
2) Parietal lobe
3) Occipital lobe
4) Temporal lobe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What do the 4 lobes correspond to?

A

Their adjacent cranial bone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

How does the cerebrum appear?

A

Lots of folds and grooves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What are the small folds in the cerebrum called?

A

Gyri

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What are the shallow grooves in the cerebrum called?

A

Sulci

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What are the deep grooves in the cerebrum called?

A

Fissures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What are the fissures in the cerebrum?

A

1) Longitudinal

2) Lateral

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What is another name for the lateral fissure in the cerebrum?

A

Sylvian

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What is the corpus callosum?

A

A bundle of white matter located in the midline

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What is the function of the corpus callosum?

A

It is a neural bridge (connection) between the left and right hemispheres.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What forms the roof of the lateral ventricles?

A

The corpus callosum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

How is the corpus callosum divided and what are the divisions?

A

4 Parts:

1) Rostrum
2) Genu
3) Body
4) Splenium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What is another name for the basal nuclei?

A

Ganglia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What is the basal nuclei?

A

Distinct regions of grey matter deep within the cerebral white matter.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What is the purpose of the basal nuclei?

A

Serve as relay stations for sensory stimuli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What do the basal nuclei lie adjacent to?

A

The lateral ventricles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What does the basal nuclei include?

A

1) The caudate nucleus

2) Lentiform nucleus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

What part of the basal nuclei has multiple parts and what are they?

A

The lentiform nucleus includes the Putamen and the Globus Pallidus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

What is the thalamus?

A

Two oval masses of grey matter that serve as relay stations for nerve impulses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

Where is the thalamus located?

A

At the base of the cerebral hemispheres on either side of the third ventricle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

What do the thalami form? **

A

Lateral walls of the third ventricle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

What is the massa intermedia?

A

A tissue bridge between the right and left thalami that passes through the third ventricle in the midline

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

What are the functions of the brainstem?

A

1) Connects brain to spinal cord

2) Controls vital functions (Breathing, heart rate)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

What are the parts of the brainstem?

A

1) Midbrain
2) Pons
3) Medulla Oblongata

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

What is the superior and smallest part of the brainstem?

A

The midbrain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

What is directly inferior to the midbrain?

A

The pons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

What does the midbrain surround?

A

The cerebral aquaduct

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

What is the pons?

A

A prominent anterior bulge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

Where is the pons located?

A

Between the midbrain and the medulla oblongata

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

What are the functions of the pons?

A

1) Acts as a bridge between the midbrain and the medulla oblongata
2) Controls involuntary functions (sleep, hearing, balance)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

What does the pons form? **

A

The anterior wall of the fourth ventricle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

What is the medulla oblongata?

A

The inferior portion of the brainstem that regulates vital functions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

What vital functions does the medulla oblongata regulate?

A
  • heart rate
  • respiratory rhythm
  • blood pressure
  • breathing
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

What does the medulla oblongata extend between?

A

Extends between the pons and the foramen magnum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

What is the foramen magnum?

A

Opening of the skull

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

What is the medulla oblongata continuous with?

A

The spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

What is the cerebellum?

A

Part of brain that is the centre for motor functions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

How is the cerebellum divided?

A

Right and left hemispheres

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

Where is the cerebellum located?

A

Posterior to the pons and medulla oblongata

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

What does the cerebellum form? **

A

The posterior wall of the fourth ventricle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

What separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum?

A

The tentorium cerebelli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

What are the parts of the cerebellum?

A

1) Vermis

2) Cerebellar peduncles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

What is the Vermis?

A

A midline structure in the cerebellum that connects it’s two hemispheres

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

What are the cerebellar peduncles?

A

Nerve tracts that connect the cerebellum to other parts of the brain stem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

What types of cerebellar peduncles are there?

A

Superior, middle and inferior

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

What are the fluid filled cavities in the brain called?

A

The ventricles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

What are the ventricle components in the brain?

A
  • Right and left lateral ventricles
  • Third ventricle
  • Fourth ventricle
70
Q

Are the ventricles connected?

A

Yes, by channels

71
Q

What do the ventricles do?

A

Produce and provide a pathway for cerebrospinal fluid to circulate

72
Q

What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

A

A clear, colourless fluid that acts as a protective cushion and provides buoyancy to support the weight of the brain.

73
Q

What produces CSF?

A

The choroid plexus of the ventricles

74
Q

Where does CSF circulate?

A

In the subarachnoid space.

75
Q

Where does CSF drain?

A

Into the blood via the dural sinuses

76
Q

What are the largest ventricles?

A

The left and right lateral ventricles

77
Q

What are the lateral ventricles?

A

Paired, C-shaped ventricles located within each cerebral hemisphere.

78
Q

What are the lateral ventricles located lateral to?

A

The midline

79
Q

What are the lateral ventricles separated by?

A

Separated medially by the cavum septum pellucidum

80
Q

What do the lateral ventricles communicate with?

A

The third ventricle

81
Q

What are the features of the lateral ventricles?

A

1) Body
2) Horns
3) Trigone
4) Interventricular Foramen

82
Q

What is the body of the lateral ventricles?

A

The central portion

83
Q

What are the horns of the lateral ventricles?

A

Extensions off of the body

84
Q

How many horns do the lateral venticles have?

A

3

  • Frontal/Anterior
  • Occipital/posterior
  • Temporal/inferior
85
Q

What is another name for the trigone of the lateral ventricles?

A

Atria

86
Q

What is the trigone of the lateral ventricles?

A

The triangular are of the body connected to all the horns

87
Q

What is the interventricular foramen?

A

The channel between each lateral ventricle and the third ventricle

88
Q

What is another name for the intraventricular foramen?

A

Foramen of Munro

89
Q

Describe the relationship between the anterior and posterior horns of the lateral ventricles.

A

The anterior horns lie medial to the posterior horns.

90
Q

Which horns are more superior on the lateral ventricles? The anterior or posterior?

A

The anterior are more superior

91
Q

Where are the anterior horns of the lateral ventricles in reference to the foramen of munro?

A

Anterior

92
Q

Where is the third ventricle in reference to the lateral ventricles?

A

Medial

93
Q

What is the cavum septum pellucidum?

A

A thin triangular membrane located in the midline just inferior to the corpus callosum

94
Q

What does the cavum septum pellucidum do?

A

Separates the medial walls of the lateral ventricles

95
Q

What is the choroid plexus?

A

It lines areas within all the ventricles (each one)

96
Q

What does the choroid plexus produce?

A

A continuous supply of cerebrospinal fluid

97
Q

Where is the choroid plexus located in the lateral ventricles?

A

On the floor

98
Q

Where is the choroid plexus located in the third ventricle?

A

On the roof

99
Q

Where is the choroid plexus located in the fourth ventricle?

A

The posterior wall

100
Q

What is the third ventricle?

A

A midline, slit like cavity that sits inferior to the lateral ventricles.

101
Q

What forms the lateral walls of the third ventricle?

A

The left and right thalami

102
Q

What runs through the third ventricle?

A

The massa intermedia of the thalamus

103
Q

What is the cerebral aquaduct?

A

The connection between the 3rd and 4th ventricles.

104
Q

What is another name for the cerebral aquaduct?

A

The aquaduct of sylvius

105
Q

Where does the cerebral aquaduct extend?

A

Posteriorly from the third ventricle

106
Q

What is the fourth ventricle?

A

A diamond shaped cavity that sits inferior and posterior to the third ventricle.

107
Q

Where is the fourth ventricle located in reference to the pons?

A

Posterior

108
Q

Where is the fourth ventricle located in reference to the cerebellum?

A

Anterior

109
Q

What drains the fourth ventricle?

A

Three channels:
1 Foramen of Magendie
2 Foramen of Luschka

110
Q

What is the foramen of magendie?

A

A single, posterior, midline opening that drains the 4th ventricle into the central canal of the spinal cord.

111
Q

What is the foramen of luschka?

A

Two lateral openings that drain the fourth ventricle

112
Q

What do the 3 openings that drain the 4th ventricle communicate with?

A

The subarachnoid space

113
Q

What are the meninges?

A

3 distinct membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord

114
Q

What are the functions of the meninges? (5)

A
  • Protect neural cells
  • Provide support for vessels
  • Create venous sinuses in head
  • Form partitions in the brain
  • Allows circulation of CSF
115
Q

What are the layers of the meninges? (Think of the PAD acronym - “they pad the brain”).

A

1) Pia Mater (inner)
2) Arachnoid (middle)
3) Dura Mater (outer)

116
Q

What does “dura mater” mean?

A

“Tough mother”

117
Q

What is the dura mater?

A

Strong outer covering of the brain/spinal cord.

118
Q

How many layers does the dura mater have?

A

Two

1) Periosteal layer
2) Meningeal layer

119
Q

What is the periosteal layer?

A

Layer of dura mater that adheres to the bone

120
Q

What is the meningeal layer?

A

Layer of dura mater that adheres to the brain and spinal cord

121
Q

What lies inferior to the dura mater?

A

The subdural space

122
Q

What are the dura mater partitions?

A
Falx cerebri (1)
Falx cerebelli (1)
Tentorium cerebelli (2)
123
Q

What is the falx cerebri?

A

A partition in the dura mater that projects vertically between the cerebral hemispheres and runs along the longitudinal fissure.

124
Q

What is the falx cerebelli?

A

A partition in the dura mater that vertically separates the cerebellar hemispheres

125
Q

Where is the falx cerebelli in reference to the falx cerebri?

A

Inferior and posterior

126
Q

What is the tentorium cerebelli?

A

It is a partition in the dura mater that folds horizontally in the transverse fissure.

127
Q

The dural layers separate along fissures to form what?

A

The dural venous sinuses.

128
Q

What drains into the dural venous sinuses?

A

All veins of the head

129
Q

Where does the blood from the head drain into after the dural venous sinuses?

A

The internal jugular veins

130
Q

What do the dural venous sinuses communicate with?

A

The arachnoid area

131
Q

What are the major dural sinuses? (5)

A

1) Superior sagittal
2) Inferior sagittal
3) Straight
4) Transverse
5) Sigmoid

132
Q

How does the blood from the head return to the heart?

A

The internal jugular veins via the venous sinuses

133
Q

What is the arachnoid?

A

The middle layer of meninges that has a cobweb appearance.

134
Q

What are arachnoid villi?

A

Outgrowths of arachnoid mater that penetrate the dura and project into the venous sinuses.

135
Q

What is the function of arachnoid villi?

A

They allow for the reabsorption of fluid into the venous system.

136
Q

What is another name for arachnoid villi?

A

Arachnoid granulations

137
Q

What is the subarachnoid space?

A

Space between the arachnoid and pia layers that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and receives CSF from the ventricles allowing it to circulate.

138
Q

What are the widened areas located in the subarachnoid space?

A

Cisterns

139
Q

What are cisterns?

A

Pools of CSF located in the subarachnoid space, mainly at the base of the skull.

140
Q

What is the largest pool of CSF fluid in the subarachnoid space?

A

Cisterna Magna

141
Q

What is the Cisterna Magna continuous with?

A

The spinal space

142
Q

What does “pia mater” mean?

A

Tender mother

143
Q

What is the pia mater?

A

The inner meninges covering the brain made of highly vascular, delicate connective tissue.

144
Q

What does the pia mater adhere to?

A

Directly to the surface of the brain, it follows the contour of the brain and enters the grooves and fissures.

145
Q

What are the two main arterial routes from the heart to the brain?

A

1) Internal carotid arteries

2) Vertrebral arteries

146
Q

What are the internal carotid arteries?

A

Branches off the common carotid arteries that take a tortuous route within the brain.

147
Q

What do the internal carotid arteries connect to within the brain?

A

The middle cerebral arteries

148
Q

What are the vertrebral arteries?

A

Branches of the subclavian arteries

149
Q

Where to the vertrebral arteries enter the skull?

A

Through the foramen magnum

150
Q

How do the vertrebral arteries travel?

A

They ascend cranially through the transverse foramina of the cervical spine

151
Q

What do the vertrebral arteries unite to form?

A

The basilar artery

152
Q

What is the circle of willis?

A

Arterial circle of major vessels at the base of the brain

153
Q

What does the circle of willis unite?

A

The anterior and posterior arterial blood supplies

154
Q

What does the circle of willis allow for?

A

1) Collateral blood flow between the hemispheres

2) Continuous blood flow to brain in case of damage in one area

155
Q

What are the posterior cerebral arteries (R &L)?

A

Branch from the basilar artery

156
Q

What are the posterior communicating artery (R & L)?

A

Run between the posterior cerebral arteries and the middle cerebral arteries.

157
Q

What are the middle cerebral arteries? (R & L)

A

Branch from the internal carotid arteries

158
Q

What are the anterior cerebral arteries? (R & L)

A

Bilateral anterior arteries

159
Q

What is the anterior communicating artery?

A

Single mid line artery connecting the R and L anterior cerebral arteries

160
Q

What is the spinal cord?

A

“Nerve cable” that is a continuation of the medulla oblongata, it tapers distally and and contains nerves associated with each vertebra.

161
Q

What level does the spinal cord extend to?

A

L2

162
Q

Where does the spinal cord widen?

A

At the cervical and lumbosacral widening

163
Q

What area of the spinal cord tapers distally?

A

The Conus medullaris

164
Q

What level should the Conus medullaris not extend past?

A

L@

165
Q

How does the Conus medullaris appear on UT?

A

Hypoechoic area

166
Q

What are the nerve bundles inferior to the conus medullaris called?

A

Cauda equine

167
Q

How does the cauda equine appear on UT?

A

Thinner hyperechoic strands, “horse tail”.

168
Q

What is the slender strand from the conus medullaris to the coccyx?

A

Filum terminale

169
Q

What is the function of the filum terminale?

A

It anchors the spinal cord

170
Q

How does the filum terminale appear on UT?

A

A thicker hyperechoic strand

171
Q

What secures the spinal cord laterally to the vertebral canal?

A

The denticulate ligaments