Protecting the Nervous System (Meninges, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Blood-Brain Barrier)

Meninges

Consists of three connective tissue membranes covering the CNS structures

_____________ mater

Dura

Dura: _____________ layer

outermost

Dura: Means “__________________________”

touch or hard mother

Dura: The periosteal layer attaches to the _____________, forming the _____________

skull; periosteum

Dura: The meningeal layer covers the _____________

brain and spinal cord

Meninges: _____________ mater (spider mother)

Archnoid

Arachnoid: Looks like a _____________ and spans the _____________ spacer to attach to the innermost membrane (the _____________ mater)

cobweb; subarachnoid; pia

Arachnoid: Subarachnoid space is filled with _____________

cerebrospinal fluid

Meninges: _____________ (gentle mother)

Pia mater

Cerebrospinal Fluid: Water broth similar to _____________

blood plasma

Cerebrospinal fluid: Forms a watery cushion that protects the brain from _____________

blows and other trauma

Cerebrospinal Fluid: Continually _____________

moving

Blood- Brain Barrier: The brain needs a very stable _____________

internal environment

Blood-Brain Barrier: Changes to internal environment might result in uncontrolled _____________

neural activity

Blood- Brain Barrier: Some neurons are involved in initiating _____________

nerve impulses

Blood- Brain Barrier: Some amino acids serve as _____________

neurotransmitters

Blood- Brain Barrier: Separates neurons from _____________

bloodborne substances

Blood- Brain Barrier: Composed of the least permeable _____________ in the body

capillaries

Blood- Brain Barrier: Only _____________ pass through easily

water, glucose, essential amino acids

Blood- Brain Barrier: Metabolic wastes such as _____________ are prevented from entering

urea, toxins, proteins and most drugs

Blood- Brain Barrier: Nonessential amino acids and ions are _____________

actively pumped out

Blood- Brain Barrier: Useless against _____________

fat- soluble molecules