Neonatal Brain

What are the 3 parts of the brain?

~ Cerebrum

~ Cerebellum

~ Brainstem

Arachnoid

The middle layer of meninges covering the brain and spinal cord

Atrium (Trigone) of Lateral Ventricles

Area where the Anterior, Occipital, and Temporal Horns join

Brainstem

The part of the brain that’s connected to the forebrain and spinal cord. Consists of Midbrain, Pons, and Medulla Oblongata

Caudate Nucleus:

Where and What does it consist of?

Next to LAT wall of LAT ventricle

Consists of a head, body, and tail

Cavum Septum Pellucidum

A thin, triangular hole that’s filled w/CF that lies between ANT Horns of the LAT Ventricles. If it extends POST » Cavum Vergae

**Forms the medial wall of the LAT ventricles

Central Nervous System (CNS)

What does it consist of?

Cerebellum, Cerebrum, Spinal Cord, Pons (brainstem), and Medulla

Cerebellum

Portion of brain that lies POST to Pons and Medulla below tentorium

Cerebral Hemispheres

Paired brain matter separated from ML by falx cerebri

Cerebrum

Largest part of the brain, which consists of 2 hemispheres and is made up of 6 lobes

~ 1 Frontal

~ 1 Occipital

~ 2 Parietal

~ 2 Temporal

Choroid Plexus

Mass of special cells located in the atrium of the LAT Ventricles. It regulates the intraventricular pressure by secreting or absorbing CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid)

**Appears ovoid and echogenic**

What lies between each layer of meninges?

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Cistern

Enclosed space serving as a reservoir for CSF

Corpus Callosum

Large group of nerve fibers visible SUP to third ventricle connecting the brain’s LT + RT hemispheres

**Thick band of white matter connecting the 2 hemispheres and forms the roof of the LAT ventricles**

Ependyma

The membrane lining the cerebral ventricles

Epidural

Space that lies outside the dura mater

Falx Cerebri

(Interhemispheric Fissure)

A fibrous structure separating the 2 cerebral hemispheres

Germinal Matrix

Periventricular tissue including the caudate nucleus. Before 32w, it’s fragile and easily bleeds

Gyri

Convolutions on the brain’s surface caused by the infolding of the cortex

Meninges

3 protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord

Parenchyma

Cortex tissue of the brain

Pia Mater

Innermost meningeal membrane

Subdural Mater

The meningeal membrane between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater

Subependymal region/zone

Area immediately beneath the ependymal lining of the brain’s ventricles

**Hemorrhage site in the caudate nucleus from the germinal matrix**

Subarachnoid Mater

The meningeal layer between the arachnoid and the pia mater

Sulcus

A groove or depression on the brain’s surface separating the gyri

Sylvian Fissure

Lateral cerebri fissure that separates the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain

**MCA runs through here**

Telea Choroidea

Point where the choroid attached to the floor of the LAT ventricles and located behind the Foramen of Monro

**Most common site of hemorrhage**

Tentorium

V-shaped echogenic structure that separates the cerebrum and cerebellum and is an extension of the falx cerebri

Thalamus

2 ovoid brain structures situated on either side of the third ventricle SUP to brainstem

Ventricles

Cavities within the brain containing CSF

Vermis Cerebellum

Median part of the cerebellum which lies between the 2 hemispheres

The cranial end of the neural tube differentiates into which 3 primary vesicles?

1) Prosencephalon (Forebrain)

2) Mesencephalon (Midbrain)

3) Rhombencephalon (Hindbrain)

**Cranial end of neural tube differentiates at the end of the 4th week

The caudate nucleus is a common site for …

… Intracranial hemorrhage

The diencephalon is [SUP / INF] to the brainstem

SUPERIOR

What does the neural plate form?

Neural Tube + Neural Crest

The neural tube differentiates into the …

… CNS = Brain + Spinal Cord

The neural crest differentiates or gives rise to the …

… PNS

The nuchal fold is … to CM (Cisterna Magna)

SUP and POST

The caudate nucleus is … to LAT ventricles

ADJACENT

The cerebrum’s divided into 2 cerebral hemispheres by the … and is connected by …

Longitudinal Fissure ; Corpus Callosum

*Longitudinal Fissure AKA Interhemispheric fissure, Great/Median longitudinal fissure

The cerebellum is divided by the … into 2 hemispheres and separated from the occipital lobe by the … superiorly

Vermis ; Transverse Fissure

What are the “ropes” that help connect the cerebellum to the brainstem?

Cerebellar peduncles

What site is where the Anterior, Occipital, and Temporal horns join together?

Atrium or Trigone

The body of LAT ventricle extends from the … to trigone

Foramen of Monro » Trigone

Foramen of Monro

AKA Intraventricular Foramen

Divides frontal horn ANT from body of ventricle POST and connects 3rd Ventricle » LAT Ventricle

Aqueduct of Sylvius

AKA Cerebral Aqueduct

Connects the 3rd Ventricle » 4th Ventricle

Foramen of Luschka

The opening in the roof of the 4th Ventricle for circulation of CSF

**AKA LAT apertures of 4th Ventricle

Foramen of Magendie

AKA Median Aperture

The opening in the INF roof of the 4th Ventricle for circulation of CSF

**Gateway that enables CSF to reach spinal cord via subarachnoid space and exit ventricular system and enter CM

Spalding Sign

Overlapping of fetal cranial bones » Intrauterine fetal demise

Anterior Fontanelle

Located at the top of neonatal head and felt as “soft spot”

**Bulges w/hydrocephalus

Glomus of Choroids

Prominent tuft of choroidal tissue located in the atrium/trigone of each LAT Ventricle

What’s the most common intracranial pathology in neonates and infants?

Intracranial Hemorrhage

Subependymal Hemorrhage (SHE)

Occurs in the caudate nucleus and can be seen INF to the floor of the LAT Ventricles

The cavum vergae completely closes by … months after birth

3-6 months

Intraparenchymal hemorrhages…