Anatomy of the Human Cranium, Meninges, and Cerebral Cortex

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcard set covering cranial anatomy, skull foramina, scalp layers, meninges, dural venous sinuses, cerebrospinal fluid circulation, and cerebral cortical structures.

Floor of Cranium (Netter: 11)

Anatomical structure of the internal base of the skull detailing cranial foramina, supporting bones, and neural landmark passageways.

Carotid canal

Foramen in the cranial floor that transmits the internal carotid artery.

Jugular foramen

Foramen located between the temporal and occipital bones that transmits the internal jugular vein and cranial nerves $\text{IX}$, $\text{X}$, and $\text{XI}$.

Internal auditory meatus

Canal located on the temporal bone that transmits cranial nerves $\text{VII}$ and $\text{VIII}$.

Cribriform plate

Perforated region of the ethmoid bone that transmits olfactory nerve fibers.

Foramen magnum

Large opening on the occipital bone that connects the brainstem to the spinal cord.

Sphenoid bone

Butterfly-shaped cranial bone containing the optic foramen and sella turcica.

Sella turcica

Saddle-like structure located on the sphenoid bone that houses the pituitary gland.

Foramen spinosum

Opening on the floor of the cranium that transmits the middle meningeal artery (MMA).

Foramen ovale

Opening in the sphenoid bone that transmits the mandibular nerve.

Crista galli

Bony projection of the ethmoid bone serving as an attachment point for the dura mater and falx cerebri.

Optic canal

Canal transmitting cranial nerve $\text{II}$ (optic nerve) and the ophthalmic artery.

Foramen rotundum

Opening in the sphenoid bone transmitting the maxillary nerve branch.

Frontal sinus

Paranasal sinus located in the frontal bone that functions to make cranial bones lighter.

Scalp, Meninges, and Venous Sinuses (Netter: 99, 102)

Anatomical cross-section illustrating scalp layers, cranial meninges, dural sinuses, and cerebral structures.

SCALP layers

The five layers of tissue covering the skull in order: Skin, Subcutaneous (superficial) fascia, Epicranial aponeurosis, Loose connective tissue, and Periosteum.

Calvarium

The skull cap or upper dome-like portion of the cranium.

Dura mater

Tough, fibrous outermost layer of the meninges that covers and protects the delicate surface of the brain.

Endosteal layer of dura

The outer layer of the dura mater that adheres directly to the inner surface of the skull bones.

Meningeal layer of dura

The inner layer of the dura mater situated above the subdural space.

Subdural space

Potential space located under the dura mater and above the arachnoid layer.

Arachnoid layer

Avascular, delicate, spiderweb-like middle layer of the meninges.

Subarachnoid space

Space between the arachnoid layer and pia mater containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and cerebral blood vessels.

Pia mater

Vascular inner layer of the meninges that sticks tightly to the surface of the brain, following every valley and ridge.

Grey matter

Brain tissue on the cortex consisting of unmyelinated neuronal cell bodies and dendrites where processing occurs.

White matter

Brain tissue composed of myelinated axons that transfer nerve impulses across brain regions.

Choroid plexus

Specialized vascular structure inside each ventricle that secretes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Hydrocephalus

Condition characterized by an accumulation of fluid in the brain, causing the head to swell.

Myelin

Insulating sheath composed of proteins and phospholipids wrapped around nerve fibers to increase signal transmission speed.

Aneurysm

An abnormal blood-filled bulge of a blood vessel (especially an artery) resulting from weak vessel walls.

Subdural hematoma

Collection of blood under the dura mater caused by a torn cerebral ('bridging') vein.

Epidural hematoma

Blood accumulation between the dura mater and the skull caused by a torn middle meningeal artery.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Bleeding in the space between the pia mater and arachnoid layer, resulting from a torn cerebral artery.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Protective liquid cushion that flows around the brain and spinal cord, acting as protection and nourishing brain tissue.

Dural Sinuses (Netter: 103)

Anatomical diagram showing venous sinus channels contained within folds of dura mater that drain blood and CSF.

Falx cerebri

Dural fold positioned in the longitudinal fissure acting as a divider between the left and right cerebral hemispheres.

Tentorium cerebelli

Dural fold that acts like tents covering the occipital lobes and separating them from the cerebellum.

Falx cerebelli

Dural fold that acts as a divider between the two cerebellar hemispheres.

Superior sagittal sinus

Dural venous sinus running along the upper border of the falx cerebri.

Inferior sagittal sinus

Dural venous sinus running along the lower margin of the falx cerebri.

Straight sinus

Dural venous sinus running straight toward the eye, formed by the convergence of the inferior sagittal sinus and great cerebral vein of Galen.

Confluens

Junction point where dural venous sinuses meet.

Sigmoid sinus

S-shaped dural venous sinus leading blood directly toward the jugular foramen and internal jugular vein.

Connective Tissue Layers of the Brain

Diagram illustrating the three meningeal layers (dura mater, arachnoid layer, pia mater) and the subarachnoid space surrounding the cerebral cortex.

Gyri

Elevated lumpy ridges on the surface of the cerebral cortex designed to increase surface area.

Sulci

Valleys or shallow grooves between gyri on the cerebral cortex surface.

Fissures

Very deep valleys or grooves on the brain surface.

Central sulcus

Major landmark valley separating the precentral gyrus from the postcentral gyrus.

Precentral gyrus

Ridge anterior to the central sulcus, also known as the motor strip, containing motor maps corresponding to voluntary muscles.

Postcentral gyrus

Ridge posterior to the central sulcus, also known as the sensory strip, where touch sensory input is processed.

Heschl's gyrus

First structure in the language pathway that receives primary auditory input from both ears.

Wernicke's area

Structure in the cortical language pathway responsible for decoding and comprehending spoken language messages.

Arcuate fasciculus

A series of white matter pathways that transfer language information forward to Broca's area.

Broca's area

Cortical area located near the motor cortex responsible for producing spoken responses.

Concussion

A violent shake or blow to the head causing temporary cerebral impairment.

Contusion

Injury where blood vessels are broken or damaged due to a blow to the head (bruise).

Cortex

Outer layer of the brain, derived from the Latin word meaning 'bark, shell, or husk'.

Cerebral lateralization

Functional differences and specialization existing between the right and left cerebral hemispheres, also termed cerebral dominance.

Left hemisphere dominance

Dominance pattern seen in 91\text{\null}\% of the population (typically right-handed) characterized by control of the right side of the body, language, logic, and numerical/scientific skills.

Right hemisphere dominance

Dominance pattern seen in 9\text{\null}\% of the population (typically left-handed) characterized by control of the left side of the body, musical and artistic awareness, spatial/pattern perception, and imagination.

Circulation of Cerebrospinal Fluid

Sequential pathway: 1) CSF is produced by the choroid plexus of each ventricle, 2) flows through ventricles and into subarachnoid space via median/lateral apertures (and central canal of spinal cord), 3) flows through subarachnoid space, 4) is absorbed into dural venous sinuses via arachnoid granulations.