The Central Nervous System 2 Flashcards
What is the ventricular system of the brain?
Structure of interlocking space filled with CSF within the brain
The 5 structures of the ventricular system?
Lateral ventricle Third ventricle Aqueduct Fourth ventricle Central canal
What is CSF continuously secreted by?
Choroid plexus (glands) within each ventricle
3 functions of the ventricular system?
Protection of soft tissue in the brain from both gravity and trauma
Removes waste
Delivers substrates to brain tissue
What 2 places does the CSF leave the ventricular system?
Most leaves via the fourth ventricle and spreads into sub-arachnoid space
Some leaves via the central canal and enter the spinal cord
What is the sub-arachnoid space?
The space between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater
What is hydrocephalus?
A build up of CSF within the brain
How is CSF removed from the brain?
Returned to venous circulation via pockets in the arachnoid membrane, called arachnoid villi, which drain the CSF into a venous sinus
Structure of the spinal cord?
Segmented structure by regular arrangement roots and nerves
What connects the spinal cord to the brain?
The ascending and descending tract of the brainstem
Sensory input to spinal cord?
Via dorsal root ganglia and dorsal roots into dorsal horn of the grey matter
Motor output from spinal cord?
Via ventral horn of the grey matter through ventral roots
Arrangement of grey and white matter in the spinal cord? (which is inside/outside)
Grey matter is the inner material
White matter is the surrounding material
What is the spinal cord protected by?
Vertebral column
Features of vertebrae in the vertebral column?
Surround the spinal cord
Separated by cartilage rings for shock absorbance
Gaps between arches laterally (intervertebral foramina) allow spinal nerves to emerge horizontally
