The skull, meninges, and ventricular system

Question 1

What comprises the skull?

Answer 1

Cranium + mandible

Question 2

What 2 changes could you see in a fontanelle and what would they indicate?

Answer 2

Sunken - dehydration

Bulging - hydrocephaly

Question 3

At what age does the posterior fontanelle close?

Answer 3

2 - 3 months after birth

Question 4

At what age does the anterior fontanelle close?

Answer 4

18 - 24 months after birth

Question 5

What can be measured in an ultrasound to estimate a baby’s age and size?

Answer 5

Biparietal diameter

Question 6

What is craniosynostosis?

Answer 6

Premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures

Question 7

Which nerve runs through the mandible to innervate the mandibular teeth?

Answer 7

Inferior alveolar nerve (branch of CN Vc)

Question 8

What are the 4 muscles of mastication?

Answer 8

Temporalis

Masseter

Lateral pterygoids

Medial pterygoids

Question 9

Which muscle opens the mouth?

Answer 9

Lateral pterygoids

Question 10

An extradural haemorrhage is most likely to occur from a bleed from which artery?

Answer 10

Meningeal artery

Question 11

A subdural haemorrhage is most likely to occur from a bleed from which vessels?

Answer 11

Bridging veins

Question 12

A subarachnoid haemorrhage is most likely to occur from a bleed from which artery?

Answer 12

Cerebral artery

Question 13

What are the 3 meningeal layers from superficial to deep?

Answer 13

Dura
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater

Question 14

What are the 2 layers of the dura?

Answer 14

Periosteal layer

Meningeal layer

Question 15

As the dura covers spinal nerves, what does it blend with / become?

Answer 15

Epineurium of spinal nerves

Question 16

What are the 3 signs of papilloedema that can be see with an ophthalmoscope?

Answer 16

Raised / bulging optic disc

Blurred disc margins

Dilated blood vessels

Question 17

On which area of the skull is an extradural haemorrhage most likely to occur?

Answer 17

Pterion

Question 18

Compression of which nerves can cause occipital neuralgia?

Answer 18

C2 + C3 dorsal rami

Question 19

Which CN innervates the dura?

Answer 19

CN V

Question 20

How can an infection from the scalp enter the cranial cavity?

Answer 20

Via emissary veins

Question 21

The cavernous sinus contains which artery?

Answer 21

Internal carotid artery

Question 22

After leaving the lateral ventricles, CSF passes through what to enter the 3rd ventricle?

Answer 22

Interventricular foramen

Question 23

After leaving the 3rd ventricle, CSF passes through what to enter the 4th ventricle?

Answer 23

Cerebral aqueduct

Question 24

What are the 4 subarachnoid cisterns?

Answer 24

Quadrigeminal
Prepontine
Cerebellomedullary
Lumbar

Question 25

How much CSF does the choroid plexus produce each day?

Answer 25

500 ml

Question 26

How can hydrocephaly be treated?

Answer 26

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Question 27

Which area of dura provides a protective covering for the pituitary gland?

Answer 27

Diaphragm sellae