Week 3: Brain Development Flashcards
what is neurulation ?
neurulation is the process during early development in which the neural tube forms from the neural plate. this process gives rise to the central nervous system.
HOW: before neurulation, you are basically a sheet of cells called neural plate. at some point, a certain population of cells start invaginating inwards and pinching in around a circular region called the notochord. this is called the neural groove. eventually the two ends fuse and break off from the upper layer. now we have a sheet of cells, big tube, and notochord under it. the tube is called the neural tube but is actually what turns into the spinal cord/brain.
what are ventricles ?
ventricles are cavities or spaces that branch off the neural tube to carry cerebrospinal fluid.
what does cerebrospinal fluid consist of?
it is a clear, colorless fluid that consists of mostly water but also contains small amounts of cations, lactic acid, urea, glucose, protein, and white blood cells.
where is cerebrospinal fluid found ?
surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and also in the ventricles.
what are the lateral ventricles ?
the lateral ventricles are the largest venticles, they are c shaped and located in each hemisphere of the brain.
what is the intraventricular foramen ?
the intraventricular foramen is a small opening that connects the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle. csf flows from the lateral ventricle into the third ventricle.
what is the third ventricle ?
the third ventricle is located between the diencephalon. it is connected to the lateral ventricles by the intraventricular foramen and leads into the aqueduct of the midbrain.
what is the aqueduct of the midbrain ?
a channel that connects the third ventricle to the fourth ventricle. it leads to the lateral apertures and the central canal of the spinal cord.
what are lateral apertures ?
openings in the fourth ventricle that allow csf to flow into the subarachnoid space surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
what is the central canal ?
the central canal is a small fluid filled channel that runs through the center of the spinal cord, connected to the fourth ventricle. it runs down the length of the spinal cord.
what are the functions of csf ?
- cushioning and protection
- homeostasis: carries hormones from the hypothalamus
- circulation: small amount of nutrients and wastes are exchanged between the blood and nervous system.
where is csf made ?
in the choroid plexus, specialized network of blood vessels found in the ventricles of the brain.
