CNS-brain & spinal cord Flashcards
Outermost meninges
Dense irregular tissue
Dura Mater
Middle meninx
Attached to the inner surface of the dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Innermost layer of the meninges
Connective tissue that holds the cerebral and spinal arteries and veins in placement
Pia mater
Two specializations of Pia mater for spinal cord
- The filum terminale of pia mater anchors the spinal cord to the sacrum and coccyx
- Denticulate ligaments “teeth” of pia mater extend across the sub arachnoid space thru arachnoid mater and anchor the spinal cord to the dura mater
Superior sagittal sinus
One of the dural venous sinuses
Courses between the layers of cranial dura mater.
Blood drains directly from the brain into the superior sagittal venous sinus
What distinguishes the dura of the brain from the dura of the spinal cord?
Brain- the dura has a tight adherence to the skill especially at the sutures.
Has 2 layers for dural venous sinuses
Spinal cord- no dural venous sinuses
Dura around the spinal cord is not attached to the inner surface of the vertebral canal.
Where is the epidural space and what does it contain?
It is a space between the dura and the bone of the vertebral canal
Contains epidural fat and network of veins (epidural venous plexus)
Where does cerebrospinal fluid circulate?
Subarachnoid space
Falx cerebri
A fold of the inner layer of the cranial dura that divides the cerebral hemispheres
Where is the superior sagittal venous sinus found?
At the junction of the falx cerebri and the dura attached to the skull
Where is the inferior sagittal venous sinus found?
Along the inferior edge of the falx cerebri
What structure is the spinal cord continuous with?
Medulla oblongata
Tentorium cerebelli
A fold of dura similar in structure to the falx cerebri. Separates the occipital lobes of the cerebrum from the cerebellum.
Tentorial insure
An opening in the tentorium cerebelli for passage of the midbrain
External features of the spinal cord
- Cervical & lumbosacral enlargements
- Conus medullaris
- Anterior median fissure
- Posterior median sulcus
Cervical & lumbosacral enlargements
Regions of the spinal cord that correspond to the nerve plexuses and innervate the upper and lower limbs
Conus medullaris
Pointed inferior end of the spinal cord
Anterior median fissure
A longitudinal groove running vertically along the anterior midline of the spinal cord
Posterior median sulcus
A longitudinal groove running vertically along the posterior midline of the spinal cord
What is gray matter and where is it in the spinal cord? Brain?
Gray matter is primarily neuronal cell bodies that forms the H-shaped central regional the spinal cord.
Gray matter in the brain makes up the cerebral cortex (outer)
What is white matter and where is it in the spinal cord? Brain?
White matter in the spinal cord consists of ascending and descending tracts (myelinated axons) and surrounds the gray matter
White matter in the brain is deep to the gray matter. (Opposite of spinal cord)
Spinal nerves are?
Nerves of the peripheral nervous system
Lobes of the brain and their functions
Frontal lobe-motor function
Parietal lobe-processes sensory info that has to do with taste, temperature and touch
Occipital lobe-processes visual information
Temporal lobe-processes sensory input into derived meanings for visual memory, language comprehension and emotion association
What hormone is secreted by the pineal gland and what is the hormone’s function?
Melatonin-helps to regulate the human sleep-wake cycle
