BIO162 - Structure of Brain and Skull

dura mater

thick, tough layer of CT that separates the meninges and brain from the skull

arachnoid mater

loose tissue between the dura and pia mater

pia mater

thin delicate sticks to the surface of the brain

subarachnoid space

space between the pia and arachnoid maters filled with CSF

cerebrum (cerebral cortex)

consists of 2 hemispheres and 4 lobes

gyri

ridges on the surface of the cerebrum

sulci

valleys between the gyri

longitudinal fissure

divides the cerebrum into 2 hemispheres

corpus callosum

provides communication highway between the hemispheres (white matter)

lateral ventricles

chambers within the hemispheres bw the corpus callosum and the fornix

choroid plexus

produce the CSF in the lateral ventricles

thalamus

routes info into the cerebrum (role in memory and basic emotion)

third ventricle

forms ring around the thalamus, CSf flows through it

hypothalamus

involved in hormone secretion, circadian rhythm, and memory

pituitary gland

secretes endocrine hormones

midbrain

top of brain stem, relays auditory and visual stimuli

cerebral aqueduct

tube between 3rd and 4th ventricle

pons

relays info to cerebrum, medulla and cerebellum

cerebellum

deals with muscle memory and learned reflexes; has arbor vitae and folia on the interior

fourth ventricle

sends CSF to the spinal cord

medulla oblongata

connects brain to the spinal cord

cranium

8 bones that encase the brain

sutures

ridged joints that connect the bones of the cranium

frontal bone

bone that makes up most of the forehead

nasal bones

form the bridge of the nose

maxilla

forms the upper part of the jaw

zygomatic bone

forms cheekbones and part of the orbit

lacrimal bone

medial wall of the orbit

ethmoid bone

posterior to the lacrimal bone, makes up superior part of septum

sphenoid bone

the posterior part of the orbit, posterior to the zygomatic and inferior to the frontal

vomer

inferior portion of the septum

inferior nasal conchae

bumps in the lower part of the nasal cavity

parietal bone

covers most of the top of the skull

sagittal suture

connects the two parietal bones

coronal suture

connects the parietal bones to the frontal bone

temporal bone

forms most of the sides of the cranium

squamous suture

joins parietal and temporal bones

external acoustic meatus

the opening to the ear

mastoid process

bump behind the earlobe

occipital bone

forms most of the back of the skull

lambdoid suture

joins occipital and parietal bones

external occipital protuberance

bump in the middle of the occipital bone

nuchal lines

extend laterally from the external occipital protuberance

occipital condyles

articulate with the C1 vertebra

palatine bone

form the posterior edge of the hard palate with the maxilla bone

anterior cranial fossa

made of frontal and ethmoid bones

middle cranial fossa

made of temporal and sphenoid

posterior cranial fossa

surrounds foramen magnum

hypophyseal fossa

of sphenoid bone