Ventricles and CSF Flashcards
Ventricles are interconnected spaces/ cavities that lie where?
Within the brain
What is the central canal of the spinal cord a continuation of?
The ventricular system within that structure
What embryological structures are these spaces formed from?
Neural tube
Where does the lateral ventricle anterior horn lie?
Frontal lobe
Where does the lateral ventricle body lie?
Parietal lobe
Where does the posterior horn in the lateral ventricle lie?
Occipital lobe
Where does the lateral ventricle inferior horn lie?
Temporal lobe
What does the itnerventricular foramen lie in?
Cavity within Diencephalon – (between thalamus & fornix)
Where is in the 3rd ventricle?
Cavity within the diencephalon
Where is the cerebral aqueduct?
Within the brainstem
Where is the 4th ventricle?
Between pons, medulla and cerebellum
What name is given to the specialised structures that lie in the ventricles that generate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
Choroid plexus
How does CSF pass into the subarachnoid space from the 4th ventricle?
Through the foramen of Lushka laterally or the foramen of Magendie medially.
At which location is cerebrospinal fluid finally resorbed back into the general circulation?
Reabsorbed through outpouching (arachnoid granulations) into the superior sagittal sinusReabsorbed through outpouching (arachnoid granulations) into the superior sagittal sinus
On a bony skull cap identify the groove for the superior sagittal sinus. Identify indentations on either side of this groove. What makes these indentations?
The arachnoid granulations
What happens if the circulation of the CSF is restricted?
There will be an increase in intracerebral pressure
What happens if there are infancy congenital defects in circulation?
Circulation lead to a progressive enlargement of the head and a reciprocal reduction in the cerebral matter.
This condition is known as hydrocephalus and can occur in isolation or as part of spina bifida.
This is a very treatable condition using a tube known as a shunt to redirect the fluid out of the cerebral circulation into the deep venous system.
What can happen if there is distruption of the CSF circulation in later life?
Can also be associated with trauma and will not result in the enlargement of the head
What do you think CSF circulation disruption would result in with respect to the brain?
Increased intracranial pressure, causing headaches, cognitive impairment, features of raised ICP & ataxia develop.
Can cause posterior fossa & brainstem tumours, subarachnoid haemorrhage, a third ventricle colloid cyst.
