The Ventricular System Flashcards
What is a ventricle?
A small cavity / chamber
What are the ventricles of the brain formed from?
The expansion and folding of the neural plate.
What is the purpose of the ventricles in the brain?
To produce and distribute CSF.
What stimulates the epiblast to differentiate?
The notocord
What does the epiblast differentiate into?
Differentiates neural plate cells
How does the neural tube form?
The neural plate cells grow rapidly, sink down and creates the neural fold.
The neural crest (top levels of cells in the neural plate) join together and seal off the neural plate, forming the neural tube which detaches from the epiblast.
Which embryonic cells detach and become the peripheral nervous system?
The neural crest cells
Which enzyme is found that is produced by the neural plate?
ACh-esterase
What is the name of the process by which the neural tube is formed?
Neuralation
What are the ends of the neural tube called?
Neuropores
What happens if the neuropores do not seal?
Congenital abnormalities
What are the two ends of the neural tube called?
Cranial end
Caudal end
What is spinal dysraphism?
Spinal cord and cranium do not fully develop.
Name two types of spina bifida
Spina bifida occulta
Spina bifida myelomeningocele
Which vitamin deficiency is linked to neural tube abnormalities?
Folate
Which drug is linked to lowering folate levels?
Sodium valporate
Which embryologic structure creates the central nervous system?
Neural tube
What are the three primary brain vesicles?
Prosencephalon
Mesencephalon
Rhombencephalon
Which secondary brain vesicles arise from the Prosencephalon?
Telencephalon & Diencephalon
Which secondary brain vesicles arise from the Rhombencephalon
Metencephalon
Mylencephalon
How does the neural tube fit into the cranium as it grows?
It bends at junctions called flexures
Name 3 brain flexures
Midbrain flexure
Pontine flexure
Cervical flexure
What are the ventricles in the forebrain called?
Lateral ventricles (one in each cerebral hemisphere)
3rd Ventricle
Where is the Aqueduct of Sylvius and what does it do?
Found in the midbrain
Connects 3rd and 4th ventricles
Where is the 4th ventricle found?
Hindbrain
What does the neural tube form in the brainstem?
The central canal.
Which congenital abnormality causes excessive expansion of the 4th ventricle during development?
Dandy-Walker Malformation
What type of cells line the ventricles?
Ependymal cells
What type of cells are ependymal cells?
Glial cells
Which cells produce CSF and what type of cell are they a specialisation of?
Choroid cells produce CSF
They are specialised ependymal cells.
What does plexus mean?
Network
How does CSF differ from serum?
Less K and less protein
How is CSF similar to serum?
Similar osmolality, Na and HCO3.