Neuroanatomy

What does rostral mean?

anterior area of brain

What does caudal mean?

posterior area of brain

What does dorsal mean?

up

What does ventral mean?

down

What are 4 ways to cut the brain?

• coronal (separates front to back with a vertial cut)

• horizontal

• midsagittal

• parasaggital

What is the basic development of the brain?

• starts with the forebrain, midbrain and spinal cord in a tube-like structure

• eyes, diencephalon and more develop later (NS structures)

What is the diencephalon composed of? (2)

• thalamus

• hypothalamus

What are the 3 areas of the brainstem from top to bottom?

midbrain, pons, medulla

Where is the cerebrospinal fluid created?

choroid plexus (part of 4th ventricle)

How often is the cerebrospinal fluid changed?

3-4 times a day

What is hydrocephalus?

an increase in CSF volume usually resulting from impaired absorption

What are the 3 coverings of meninges that surround the CSF?

• dura matter

• arachnoid matter

• pia matter

What does the dura (hard) matter do?

• keeps structure

• creates compartments in brain:

  • anterior, middle and posterior fossa

• separates 2 hemispheres and cerebellum from cerebral cortex

  • which is protective if tumour

What are the layers that cover the CNS? (furthest to nearest)

• epidural

• subdural

• subarachnoid

What is the epidural space?

space between the dura and the skull

What can you get from a fracure to the skull where blood flows into the epidural space?

epidural haematoma

What is the subdural?

space between dura and arachnoid matter (haematoma less localised if here)

What is the subarachnoid space?

space between arachnoid matter and the brain (grey matter)

What does grey matter vs white matter contain?

cells vs fibres

Where is the central sulcus found?

between the frontal and parietal lobes

What is the circle of Willis?

arteries that supply blood to the brain

What happens when you cough?

cerebrospinal fluid increases pressure

What are the 4 lobes the cerebral cortex can be divided into?

occipital, parietal, frontal and temporal

What are the grooves between folds called?

sulci

What is the main long distance fibre tract?

corpus callosum

What does the limbic system encompass?

the components of the limbic lobe and associated structures including the enthorinal and septal areas, amygdaloid complex and mamillary body

What’s included in the basal ganglia?

the deep nuclei - the caudate nucleus, the putamen and medial to the internal capsule and the lentiform nucleus

Where does all afferent information to the cortex relay through?

thalamus - which occupies the main part of the diencephalon

Are there interconnections between the two sides of the CNS at the thalamus?

no

What does the hypothalamus control?

many autonomic and endocrine functions

What does the midbrain comprise?

the tectum (roof) which is formed from the superior (vision) and inferior (auditory) colliculi