Meninges and Dural Partitions Anatomy

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Questions and Answers

Which cistern contains the optic chiasm, circulus arteriosus cerebri, and oculomotor nerve?

Chiasmatic cistern

Cisterna magna

Ambient cistern

Interpeduncular cistern (correct)

Which cistern contains the basilar artery?

Pontine cistern (correct)

Cerebellopontine angle cistern

Lumbar cistern

Ambient cistern

Which structure is sensitive to emetic chemicals in the blood and regulates vomiting, thirst, hunger, and blood pressure control?

Pineal gland

Dural sinuses

Area postrema (correct)

Neuro-hypophysis

Which venous structure surrounds the internal carotid artery and cranial nerves III, IV, V1, V2, VI?

Cavernous Sinus Signup and view all the answers

Which sinus is located at the junction of falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli?

Straight Sinus Signup and view all the answers

Which dural (venous) sinus runs along the superior margin of falx cerebri?

Superior Sagittal Sinus Signup and view all the answers

Which sinus receives blood from the transverse sinus and converges with the inferior petrosal sinuses to form the internal jugular vein?

Sigmoid Sinus Signup and view all the answers

Which dural (venous) sinus is formed by the confluence of sinuses at the level of internal occipital protuberance and drains into the transverse sinuses?

Straight Sinus Signup and view all the answers

Which cistern contains the filum terminale and cauda equina?

Lumbar cistern Signup and view all the answers

Which dural (venous) sinus is situated on the inferior border of the petrous part of the temporal bone on each side and drains the cavernous sinus into the internal jugular vein?

Inferior Petrosal Sinus Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the meninges?

To protect the CNS from mechanical damage Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the meninges is thick, tough, and inextensible?

Dura mater Signup and view all the answers

Where does the endosteal layer of the dura mater line?

Inner surface of bones of cranium Signup and view all the answers

What do the dural venous sinuses do?

Responsible for venous vasculature of the cranium Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the falx cerebri?

Partially separates the two cerebellar hemispheres Signup and view all the answers

Which structure divides the cranial cavity into supratentorial & infratentorial compartments?

Tentorium cerebelli Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of dural reflections?

Divide cranial cavity into several compartments Signup and view all the answers

Which structure arises from under surface of the tentorium and separates occipital lobe from cerebellum?

Falx cerebelli Signup and view all the answers

What is responsible for venous vasculature of cranium and drains into internal jugular veins?

Dural venous sinuses Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the meninges is highly vascularized and tightly adheres to the surface of the brain and spinal cord?

Pia mater Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of arachnoid granulations in the meninges?

Resorb and drain cerebrospinal fluid Signup and view all the answers

Where is the choroid plexus located in the ventricular system?

In the 3rd ventricle Signup and view all the answers

What structure connects the lateral ventricles with the 3rd ventricle in the ventricular system?

Interventricular foramen Signup and view all the answers

Which structure forms a partial roof over the hypophysial fossa and covers the pituitary gland?

Sellar diaphragm Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the meninges is very sensitive to pressure and closely associated with the trigeminal nerve?

Dura mater Signup and view all the answers

Which ventricle in the ventricular system is located between the dorsal surfaces of the pons, upper medulla, and ventral surface of the cerebellum?

4th ventricle Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the median stoma of Magendie in the ventricular system?

Drains cerebrospinal fluid into subarachnoid space Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The median dural septum, also known as the central partition, is attached to the base of the skull and divides the brain into left and right compartments, preventing the shift of the cerebrum.
The meninges, including the dural partitions, cover the brain and spinal cord.
The superior view shows the tentorium cerebelli covering the posterior cranial fossa, with the falx cerebri forming between it and the midline. The frontal lobes are located in the anterior cranial fossa, the temporal lobes in the middle cranial fossa, and the occipital lobes are positioned on the tentorium.
The sellar diaphragm, also known as the diaphragma sellae, is a flat sheet of dura suspended between the clinoid processes of the sphenoid bone, forming a partial roof over the hypophysial fossa and covering the pituitary gland.
The dura mater, the outermost layer of the meninges, is very sensitive to pressure and is closely associated with the trigeminal nerve (V1, V2, and V3).
The arachnoid mater, the middle layer of meninges, is a thin layer of connective tissue with no innervation and ends at the S2 level. Underneath the arachnoid mater is the subdural space, and underneath that is the sub-arachnoid space, which contains cerebrospinal fluid.
The pia mater, the innermost layer of meninges, is a thin, highly vascularized tissue that tightly adheres to the surface of the brain and spinal cord and follows the contours of the brain.
The ventricular system and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bathe the brain and spinal cord as a protective "bath," providing hydromechanical protection of the CNS and regulating brain interstitial fluid homeostasis.
The choroid plexus secretes CSF, which begins in the ventricles and enters the subarachnoid space to surround the brain and spinal cord. A total of 400–600 cc of CSF is produced per day, and the ventricles and subarachnoid space contain 50-150 cc, with all of the CSF being turned over 2-4 times per day.
Arachnoid granulations, sites of CSF resorption, are endothelium-lined finger-like meningeal protrusions into the dural venous sinuses.
The ventricular system consists of four interconnected ventricles: the lateral ventricles, 3rd ventricle, and 4th ventricle, each containing a specific structure and communicating with each other through various foramen.
The lateral ventricles, located deep within each cerebral hemisphere, consist of several parts, including the central 'body' part, anterior (frontal) horn, inferior (temporal) horn, and posterior (occipital) horn, which all communicate with the 3rd ventricle via the interventricular foramen.
The 3rd ventricle, located in the midline within the diencephalon between the thalamus and hypothalamus, communicates with the 4th ventricle via the cerebral aqueduct and contains the choroid plexus on its inferior wall.
The 4th ventricle, located between the dorsal surfaces of the pons, upper medulla, and ventral surface of the cerebellum, is continuous with the central canal of the lower medulla and spinal cord and has four openings: the median stoma of Magendie and two lateral foramina of Luschka, which connect to the subarachnoid space.
The saggital hemisection shows the circulation of CSF from the lateral ventricles to the 3rd ventricle, cerebral aqueduct, 4th ventricle, and central spinal canal and subarachnoid space, with the arachnoid granulations resorbing and draining CSF into the dural venous sinuses.
Wider areas of the subarachnoid space, containing CSF, are known as subarachnoid cisterns, including the cerebellomedullary cistern.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges caused by pathogens, leading to cerebral edema, increased intracranial pressure, forced brain herniation, and reduced cerebral perfusion.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the membranous coverings of the brain and spinal cord with this quiz. Explore the functions of the three layers of meninges and their involvement in cerebral pathology.