Meninges, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid Flashcards
cranial meninges
these are the three connective tissues that are surrounding the brain
- the dura mater
- arachnoid mater
- pia mater
- these are anchored to the skull and the brain is suspended within the meninges
- these extend around the spinal cord and are continuous throughout the CNS
functions of the cranial meninges
- cover and protect the brain
(protects against foreign substances, trauma, etc and separates the soft tissue of the brain from the bones of the cranium) - enclose and protect blood vessels
( support vessels supplying the brain and form some of the venous sinuses draining blood from the brain) - stabalize the brain within the skull
- contain the CSF
dura mater
- this is the outer layer of the meninges
- this is the thickest layer
- contains two layers: the periosteal layer and the meningeal layer
blood vessels are between the two layers
periosteal layer
- fused to the periosteum on the inner aspect of the skull
- this is one of the fibrous layers of the dura mater
meningeal layer
- this is next to the arachnoid mater
- this is one of the fibrous layers of the dura mater
dural venous sinuses
- these are large collecting veins that drain the blood from the brain
- these are formed within the space of the periosteal and meningeal dura
what are the key sinuses
- superior sagittal sinus
- inferior sagittal sinus
- transverse sinuses
- straight sinus
- confluence of sinuses
which sinuses are in teh falc cerebri
- superior sagittal sinus
- inferior sagittal sinus
straight sinus
this connects the inferior sagittal and superior sagittal sinuses
receives blood from the superior cerebellar veins and inferior sagittal sinus and drains into the confluence of sinuses.
confluence of sinuses
- this is posterior and this is where the superior, straight, and transverse sinuses merge
what are cranial dural reflections
- these are the septa
- these are where the meningeal layer of dura extends deep into the cranial cavity between sections of the brain
- functions:
- subdivide cranial cavity
- support the brain
- limit movement of the brain
falx cerebri
- this is within the longitudinal fissure between the cerebral hemispheres
- this contains the inferior sagittal sinus and the superior sagittal sinus
- this is what can stop one hemisphere of the brain from moving in a traumatic force, putting excess strain on the corpus callosum
falx cerebelli
- this is between the two cerebellar hemispheres
tentorium cerebrelli
- this is between the occipital lobes of the cerebrum and the cerebellum
- this supports and protects the occipital lobes
- the transverse sinus lies within it
arachnoid mater
- this is the middle layer of the meninges
- this is deep to the dura mater
- this is a thin, avascular, semitransparent membrane visibly covering the brain
- contains arachnoid granulations
arachnoid granulations
- send CSF from the subarachnoid space into the blood within the superior sagittal sinus
- these are finger like extensions