Week 1 - WET Flashcards
In which cranial fossa does the brainstem lie?
Posterior
Embryologically, which two vesicles of the neural tube give rise to the brainstem?
Midbrain (mesencephalon)
Hindbrain (rhomboencephalon —-> metencephalon + myelencephalon)
- metencephalon —> pons + cerebellum
- myelencephalon –> medulla
What are the cavities (of the ventricular system) that lie within the brainstem?
Cerebral aqueduct
4th ventricle
Which cranial nerves emerge from the pontomedullary junction?
VI, VII, VIII
Which of these cranial nerves that emerge from the pontomedullary junction has the longest intracranial course?
VI
In the medulla, what are the pyramids?
(Descending) Tracts of motor fibres
Posteriorly on the medulla, identify the parts of the medulla known as the “open” and “closed” part. Which of these is superior and which inferior?
Open = superior
What structure does the “open” part of the medulla open onto?
4th ventricle
Through which foramen does the medulla pass to become the spinal cord?
Foramen Magnum
What is the middle cerebellar peduncle made up of?
Centripetal fibres (incoming fibres)
What part of the brain lies:
1) immediately superior to the midbrain?………………………….
2) immediately inferior to the midbrain?……………………….
1) Diencephalon
2) Pons
Regarding the midbrain, what kind of fibres make up the cerebral peduncles and where are they destined for?
Projection - consist of both afferent and efferent nerve fibers that connect the brain with the spinal cord
Which two parts of the brain does the diencephalon lie between?
Fornix
Midbrain
What does the diencephalon consist of?
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
What are the surface projections visible on the surface of the hypothalamus called?
Mamillary bodies
What is the epithalamus ?
The epithalamus is a small region of the diencephalon consisting of the pineal gland, and 2 other things
What is the name given to the midline structure connecting the two cerebellar hemispheres?
Vermis
Name the 3 lobes of the cerebellum.
Anterior
Posterior
Flocculo-nodular
To what part(s) of the brain is the cerebellum anatomically connected to by peduncles?
Brainstem
Name the cranial fossa that the cerebellum is in contact with
Posterior
Identify the foramen in the skull that the cerebellum sits above
Foramen Magnum
The part of the cerebellum that sits atop this foramen is called the …………………
Tonsils
In instances where there is a sudden drop in intracranial pressure, the tonsils may herniate through this foramen. What is this called?
Cerebellar coning
What name is given to the large fissure separating the two cerebral hemispheres?
Median Longitudinal Fissure
What type of nerve fibres are most likely to be carried in the corpus callosum?
Commisural - axons that connect the two hemispheres of the brain
Which lobe contains the Primary Motor Cortex?
Frontal lobe
Which lobe contains the Primary Visual Cortex?
Occipital
Which lobe contains the Primary Sensory Cortex?
Parietal
Which lobe contains the Primary Auditory Cortex?
Temporal
At what vertebral level does the spinal cord terminate in: a) the adult………………………………………….
b) the new born………………………………………………..
adult = L1/L2
New born = L3/L4
At what vertebral level does the dura terminate?
S2
At what vertebral level does the arachnoid terminate?
S2
What happens to the pia mater inferior to the spinal cord?
Continues as filum terminale
At what vertebral level would you perform a lumbar puncture on an adult?
L3/L4
How would you position the patient to gain access to the lumbar cistern and why?
Foetal position - maximise gap between lumbar vertebrae
How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
31
Is damage to the cauda equina classified as an upper or lower motor neurone lesion?
LMN
