Unit 2 Flashcards
How is the brain protected?
-cranium provides a rigid outer layer of protection
- connective tissue layers surround and partition brain
What are the types of connective tissue layers that surround and part the brain?
- dura matter
-pia matter - arachnoid matter
How do connective tissue layers protect and support brain?
-encloses and supports blood vessels serving the brain
-contains circulating CSF
- interior blood-brain barrier structures selectively control movement of materials between circulating blood and brain tissue
What is the dura mater of the cranium?
- tough double layer (meningeal and periosteal) of connective tissue that forms outer meningeal membrane
What are the layers of the dura matter?
-outer periosteal
-meningeal
What is dura matter made of?
- collagen, dense irregular connective tissue
What does the outer periosteal layer do?
- forms periosteum on the internal surface of cranial bones
-fused with meningeal layer in most places
What does the meningeal layer do?
- innermost dura matter layer
What layer is also called true dura matter?
-meningeal layer
What is the dural sinus?
- acts as modified vein collecting venous blood and CSF
Where is the dural sinus?
found in space between periosteal and meningeal layers
What is the dural septa?
-when two meningeal layers meet and extend inwards
What does the dural septa do?
- partitions specific regions of the brain, providing support and stabilization
What are the dura matter spaces?
-epidural space
-subdural space
What is the epidural space of the cranium?
a potential space that contains arteries and veins and support the bones of the cranium and meninges
What is the subdural space of the cranium?
- a potential space found between the dura and arachnoid matter where fluid can collect
- usually not present but can appear when filled with blood and other fluid
When do epidural and subdural hematomas occur in the cranium?
when blood pools in these regions and compresses blood regions
What causes epidural hematomas?
- High-impact traumatic injury
What causes subdural hematomas?
- usually violent movement or sharp turn breaks blood vessels
What is arachnoid matter?
- connective tissue membrane located next to, deep of, subdural space
What is arachnoid matter made of?
- arachnoid trabeculae
What are arachnoid trabeculae?
-collagen and elastic extensions
Where is arachnoid trabeculae located
-transverse to subarachnoid space
What does arachnoid trabeculae do?
connects superficial arachnoid matter to deep pia matter