Meninges and Dural Venous Sinuses

Flashcards on Meninges and Dural Venous Sinuses

Meninges

Layers of connective tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Dura Mater

Outermost, thickest, and toughest layer of the meninges in the skull.

Periosteal Layer

Layer of the dura mater closest to the skull bone.

Meningeal Layer

Deeper layer of the dura mater that is continuous down into the spinal cord.

Arachnoid Mater

Meningeal layer with spider web-like projections.

Arachnoid Granulations

Structures associated with the arachnoid mater where CSF is reabsorbed back into the venous system.

CSF

Cerebrospinal fluid

Pia Mater

Innermost, thin layer of the meninges directly adhered to the surface of the brain.

Extradural/Epidural Space

Potential space between the skull and the dura mater.

Subdural Space

Potential space between the dura and the arachnoid mater.

Subarachnoid Space

Actual space between the arachnoid and pia mater containing CSF, arteries, and veins.

Dural Septa

Double layers of the meningeal layer that partition the brain and limit movement.

Falx Cerebri

Dural partition between the two cerebral hemispheres.

Falx Cerebelli

Dural partition between the two cerebellar hemispheres.

Tentorium Cerebelli

Dural partition between the cerebrum and the cerebellum, supporting the weight of the cerebrum.

Dural Venous Sinuses

Spaces created when the meningeal layer pulls away from the periosteal layer of the dura mater, containing venous blood and CSF.

Superior Sagittal Sinus

Sinus running along the longitudinal fissure.

Confluence of Sinuses

Site where the superior sagittal, inferior sagittal, straight, and occipital sinuses come together.

Transverse Sinuses

Sinuses that go out either direction transversely from the confluence of sinuses.

Sigmoid Sinus

The s-shaped part after the Transverse Sinuses

Middle Meningeal Artery

Artery that, if damaged, can cause an extradural hemorrhage.

Aneurysm

Dilation of an artery that can rupture and cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Ventricles

Spaces of the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid.

Lateral Ventricles

Two ventricles, one on either side, in either hemisphere.

Choroid Plexus

Structure that continuously produces cerebrospinal fluid.

Apertures

Median and lateral