Visceral II/ Cranial Vault

Question 1

The Middle Meningeal A. goes through the ____ to enter into the cranial vault. It is deep to the _____ and a blow to the head could lacerate this artery.

Answer 1

Foramen Spinosum

Deep to the pterion

Question 2

What is the function of the cranial meninges?

Answer 2

Three dense regular connective tissue layers that separate the soft tissue of the brain from the bones of the cranium

• Enclose and protect blood vessels that supply the brain
• Contain and circulate CSF
• Parts of the cranial meninges form some of the veins that drain blood from the brain - forms the dural venous sinus
• From superficial to deep, the cranial meninges are the dura mater, the arachnoid, and the Pia mater

Question 3

What is the lateral venous lacuna?

Answer 3

Opening that has granulations inside it that drains CSF from the brain into the dural venous sinus
the dural venous sinus is located in the DURA MATER

Question 4

Where are the dural venous sinus located?

Answer 4

In the DURA MATER

Question 5

What are the two fibrous layers of the dura mater?

Answer 5

1. Periosteal layer - more superficial layer that attaches to the periosteum of the cranial bones
2. Meningeal Layer - lies deep to the periosteal layer

The meningeal layer is usually fused with the periosteal layer, except in specific areas where the two layers separate to form large, blood filled spaces that are called dural venous sinuses.

-derived from endoderm

Question 6

What is the arachnoid mater or arachnoid membrane made up of?

Answer 6

Composed of a delicate web of collagen and elastic fibers
termed the arachnoid trabeculae

• Between the arachnoid and the overlying dura mater is the subdural space (within the arachnoid layer)
• Immediately deep to the arachnoid is the subarachnoid space (between the arachnoid and Pia mater)

Question 7

What is the thin delicate layer of CT that is most tightly adhered to the brain and follows very contour of the brain surface?

Answer 7

Pia Mater

Question 8

What is the space between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater called?

What is the space between the skull and the dura mater?

Answer 8

Subdural space

Epidural space

–> build up of blood within these spaces can cause subdural and epidural hematoma.

Question 9

What are cranial dural septa?

What are the four cranial dural septa?

Answer 9

The meningeal layer of the dura mater extends as flat partitions (septa) deep into the cranial cavity at four locations.

Membranous partitions separate at specific parts of the brain and provide stabilization and support to the entire brain

1. Falx Cerebri
2. Tentorium Cereblli
3. Falx Cerebelli
4. Diaphragma sellae

In these septa are the dural venous sinuses

Question 10

What is the Falx Cerebri?

Answer 10

Sagittal - Extends downward into the longitudinal fissure -separates the two cerebral hemispheres