A&P Chapter 12 Flashcards
Adult brains have how many regions?
Four
What are the four regions of the adult brain?
- Cerebral hemispheres
- Diencephalon
- Brainstem (Midbrain, pons, medulla)
- Cerebellum
What are ventricles?
Fluid-filled chambers that are continuous to one another and to the central canal of the spinal cord
What are ventricles filled with?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
What does gray matter contain?
Neuron cell bodies and short nonmyelinated neurons
What does white matter contain?
Mostly myelinated axons and some nonmyelinated axons
What are ventricles lined by?
Ependymal cells (neuroglial cells)
Paired lateral ventricles are what?
Large, C-shaped chambers located deep in each hemisphere
What are the lateral ventricles separated by?
Septum pellucidum
The third ventricle is connected by what?
Interventricular foramen
The fourth ventricle is connected by what?
Cerebral aqueduct
The meninges cover and protect what?
CNS
What are the three layers of meninges (external to internal)?
Dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater
What is the subdural space?
In between the dura and arachnoid mater
What is the subarachnoid space?
In between the arachnoid and pia mater
What does the subarachnoid space contain?
CSF and the largest blood vessels of the brain
What is meningitis?
Inflammation of the meninges primarily due to bacterial or viral infection
If meningitis spreads to the CNS, what could happen?
Inflammation of the brain, referred to as encephalitis
How is meningitis usually diagnosed?
By observing microbes in a sample of CSF obtained via lumbar puncture
What are the symptoms of meningitis?
Fever, headache, vomiting, and stiff neck (more severe with bacterial infection)
Meningitis can result in what if untreated?
Brain damage and death
How can meningitis be prevented?
Vaccine for most common bacterial strains causing meningitis
What does the CSF form?
A liquid cushion of constant volume around the brain
What are the functions of CSF?
- Gives buoyancy to CNS structures (reduces weight of brain by 97% by floating it so it is not crushed under its own weight)
- Protects CNS from blows and other trauma
- Nourishes brain and carries chemical signals