Blood-Brain Barrier Function and Structure
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Questions and Answers

What is the main structural component of the blood-brain barrier?

  • Capillary endothelium (correct)
  • Astrocytic processes
  • Connective tissue trabeculae
  • Blood vessels
  • What is the artifact created during dissection concerning the space between the pia and white matter of the spinal cord?

  • Trabeculae
  • Leptomeninges
  • Subarachnoid space
  • Astrocytic processes (correct)
  • Which layer acts as a shock-absorbing pad between the Central Nervous System (CNS) and bone?

  • Astrocytic processes
  • Dura mater
  • Pia mater
  • Arachnoid mater (correct)
  • What structure separates the pia mater from the white matter of the spinal cord?

    <p>Astrocytic processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What contributes to the blood-brain barrier by closely enveloping the basement membrane of continuous capillaries in most CNS regions?

    <p>Perivascular astrocytic feet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of the BBB?

    <p>Maintains the balance of ions in the interstitial fluid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer is sometimes referred to as the pia-arachnoid or leptomeninges?

    <p>Pia mater</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the BBB is responsible for having tight junctions?

    <p>Capillary endothelial cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of substances can diffuse rapidly across the BBB?

    <p>Lipid-soluble substances</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure is an exception to having a blood-brain barrier?

    <p>Neurohypophysis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What damage mechanism can lead to vasogenic edema by breaking tight junctions in endothelial cells?

    <p>Brain infarction and tumors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect do hyperosmolar solutions like mannitol have on the blood-brain barrier?

    <p>Cause vasodilatation and increase permeability to other drugs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which molecules are transported slowly across the BBB through selective mechanisms?

    <p>Amino acids and glucose</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where is the choroid plexus primarily located within the brain?

    <p>In the large ventricles of the brain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens if there is a blockage of outflow from the ventricles during fetal or postnatal development?

    <p>Hydrocephalus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the choroid plexus in relation to CSF?

    <p>To remove water from blood and release it as CSF</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the composition of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in terms of proteins?

    <p>Very little protein content</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the key roles of CSF in relation to the central nervous system?

    <p>Absorb excess mechanical shocks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Meninges and Subdural Space

    • The subdural space is located between the arachnoid mater and the dura mater.
    • The arachnoid mater is a thicker, web-like layer containing the subarachnoid space and connective tissue trabeculae.
    • The subarachnoid space is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the arachnoid acts as a shock-absorbing pad between the CNS and bone.
    • Fairly large blood vessels course through the arachnoid.
    • The pia mater is thin and closely applied to the surface of the CNS tissue.

    Blood-Brain Barrier

    • The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a functional barrier that tightly controls the passage of substances from blood into CNS tissue.
    • The main structural component of the BBB is the capillary endothelium with tight junctions and a basement membrane.
    • The limiting layer of perivascular astrocytic feet also contributes to the BBB and regulates the passage of molecules and ions.
    • The BBB protects neurons and glia from bacterial toxins, infectious agents, and other exogenous substances.
    • The BBB is not present in certain regions, such as the hypothalamus, posterior pituitary, and choroid plexus.

    Blood-Brain Barrier Components and Transport

    • Components: capillary endothelial cells, basal lamina, astrocytes, and pericytes.
    • Transport mechanisms: ion channels (e.g., sodium, potassium), selective transport (e.g., amino acids, glucose), and diffusion (e.g., nonpolar and lipid-soluble substances).

    Structures with No Blood-Brain Barrier

    • Area postrema: vomiting center with chemoreceptor trigger zone.
    • Organum vasiculosum lamina terminalis (OVLT): osmoreceptors.
    • Neurohypophysis: oxytocin and ADH release directly into the blood.

    Choroid Plexus

    • The choroid plexus consists of highly vascular tissue, elaborately folded and projecting into the large ventricles of the brain.
    • It is found in the roofs of the third and fourth ventricles and parts of the two lateral ventricular walls.
    • The function of the choroid plexus is to remove water from blood and release it as CSF.
    • CSF is clear, contains Na+, K+, and Cl– ions but very little protein, and is produced continuously.
    • CSF fills the ventricles, the central canal of the spinal cord, the subarachnoid and perivascular spaces.
    • CSF provides ions required for CNS neuronal activity and helps absorb mechanical shocks in the arachnoid.

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    Description

    Learn about the blood-brain barrier (BBB) which protects neurons and glia from toxins and maintains the stable composition of interstitial fluid. Explore where BBB is absent and its functions in different regions of the brain.

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