Circle of Willis Reading Flashcards
common carotid arteries
blood vessel that branches off the aorta (or the brachiocephalic artery on the right) and supplies blood to the head and neck
internal carotid arteries
branch from the common carotid artery that enters the cranium and supplies blood to the brain
carotid canal
opening in the temporal bone through which the internal carotid artery enters the cranium
vertebral arteries
arteries that ascend along either side of the vertebral column through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae and enter the cranium through the foramen magnum
foramen magnum
Large opening in the occipital bone of the skull through which the spinal cord emerges and the vertebral arteries enter the cranium
anterior spinal artery
blood vessel from the merged branches of the vertebral arteries that runs along the anterior surface of the spinal cord
basilar artery
blood vessel from the merged vertebral arteries that runs along the dorsal surface of the brain stem
circle of Willis
unique anatomical arrangement of blood vessels around the base of the brain that maintains perfusion of blood into the brain even if one component of the structure is blocked or narrowed
dural sinuses
any of the venous structures surrounding the brain, enclosed within the dura mater, which drain blood from the CNS to the common venous return of the jugular veins
central canal
hollow space within the spinal cord that is the remnant of the center of the neural tube
lateral ventricles
portions of the ventricular system that are in the region of the cerebrum
third ventricle
portion of the ventricular system that is in the region of the diencephalon hypothalamus & thalamus
interventricular foramina
openings between the lateral ventricles and third ventricle allowing for the passage of CSF
cerebral aqueduct
connection of the ventricular system between the third and fourth ventricles located in the midbrain
fourth ventricle
the portion of the ventricular system that is in the region of the brain stem and opens into the subarachnoid space through the median and lateral apertures
median aperture
singular opening from the fourth ventricle into the subarachnoid space at the midline between the medulla and cerebellum
lateral apertures
pair of openings from the fourth ventricle to the subarachnoid space on either side and between the medulla and cerebellum
choroid plexus
specialized structures containing ependymal cells lining blood capillaries that filter blood to produce CSF in the four ventricles of the brain
What blood vessel enters the cranium to supply the brain with fresh, oxygenated blood?
a. common carotid artery
b. jugular vein
c. internal carotid artery
d. aorta
A. Common Carotis Artery
Which layer of the meninges surrounds and supports the sinuses that form the route through which blood drains from the CNS?
a. dura mater
b. arachnoid mater
c. subarachnoid
d. pia mater
c. subarachnoid
What type of glial cell is responsible for filtering blood to produce CSF at the choroid plexus?
a. ependymal cell
b. astrocyte
c. oligodendrocyte
d. Schwann cell
A. Ependymal Cell
Which portion of the ventricular system is found within the diencephalon?
a. lateral ventricles
b. third ventricle
c. cerebral aqueduct
d. fourth ventricle
B Third Ventricle
