Extended Modular Program: Meninges, CSF, and Lateral Ventricle

Practice vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy of the meninges, subarachnoid cisterns, and the formation, circulation, and absorption of Cerebro-Spinal Fluid (CSF).

Dura mater

The outer tough, fibrous layer of the cerebral meninges consisting of two layers: the outer endosteal layer and the inner meningeal layer.

Endosteal layer

The outer level of the dura mater that lines the skull.

Meningeal layer

The inner level of the dura mater that forms the dural folds and is continuous with the spinal dura.

Arachnoid Mater

A delicate membrane that covers the gyri and bridges over the sulci of the brain.

Subdural space

The space between the dura and the arachnoid containing a film of fluid.

Subarachnoid space

The space between the arachnoid and pia that contains CSF and arteries.

Arachnoid villi

Structures on the outer surface of the arachnoid through which CSF passes to the venous sinuses.

Pia Mater

A delicate vascular membrane that covers the gyri and dips into the sulci.

Filum terminale

A structure formed by the pia mater around the spinal cord starting at the lower border of the $1^{st}$ Lumbar vertebra where the spinal cord ends.

Denticulate ligaments

Ligaments formed by the pia mater on each side of the spinal cord that pass through the arachnoid to attach to the dura to suspend the cord.

Cisterns

Wide spaces located between the arachnoid and the pia mater.

Cerebello medullary cistern (cisterna magna)

A cistern lying below the cerebellum and behind the closed medulla that receives CSF from the $4^{th}$ ventricle via the median foramen of Magendie and two lateral foramina of Luschka.

Cistern of great Cerebral vein (cisterna ambiens)

A cistern lying above the cerebellum and below the splenium of the corpus callosum containing the great cerebral vein.

Cisterna pontis

A cistern located on the ventral surface of the pons containing the basilar artery.

Interpeduncular Cistern

A cistern lying ventral to the interpeduncular fossa containing the circle of Willis.

Cistern of lateral fossa

A cistern lying over the lateral sulcus containing the middle cerebral artery.

Cerebro-Spinal Fluid (CSF)

A clear, colorless, and odorless fluid with a volume of $130/150\,ml$ that protects the brain and maintains constant intracranial pressure.

Daily CSF Secretion

The amount of CSF secreted every $24$ hours, which is about $300\,ml$.

Choroid plexus

A structure formed by the combination of the pia mater, epyndyma, and blood vessels responsible for the formation of CSF.

Interventricular foramen (of Monro)

The opening through which CSF flows from the lateral ventricles to the $3^{rd}$ ventricle.

Aqueduct of Sylvius

The passage through which CSF flows from the $3^{rd}$ ventricle to the $4^{th}$ ventricle.

Hydrocephalus

A condition characterized by an increase in CSF volume within the skull due to increased formation, decreased absorption, or a block in circulation.

Lateral ventricle

The largest brain ventricles, which are roughly C-shaped and consist of a body, an anterior horn, a posterior horn, and an inferior horn.

Choroid fissure

A slit-like gap in the medial wall of the body and inferior horn through which the choroid plexus projects into the ventricle.

Tela choroidea

A two-layered fold of pia mater carrying blood vessels (ant. and post. choroidal) to the $3^{rd}$ and lateral ventricles.