Anatomy of the Head: Meninges, CSF, and Clinical Correlates

Vocabulary flashcards covering the vasculature, innervation, meningeal layers, ventricular/cisternal spaces, and clinical correlates of the head based on textbook lecture notes.

Middle meningeal artery

The largest artery supplying blood to the dura mater; a terminal branch of the external carotid artery (via the maxillary artery) that enters the middle cranial fossa through the foramen spinosum.

Anterior (frontal) branch of middle meningeal artery

A branch of the middle meningeal artery that runs superiorly to cross the pterion and sends branches to the anterior calvaria.

Posterior (parietal) branch of middle meningeal artery

A branch of the middle meningeal artery that runs posterosuperiorly and ramifies over the posterior aspect of the calvaria.

Innervation of the dura

Sensory nerve supply largely conveyed by the three divisions of CN V, as well as branches from CN X, CN XII, and sensory ganglia of the superior three cervical nerves.

Leptomeninx

The combined term for the arachnoid mater and pia mater, which develop from a single layer of mesenchyme surrounding the embryonic brain.

Arachnoid trabeculae

Web-like strands that pass between the arachnoid mater and pia mater through the subarachnoid space.

Arachnoid mater

An avascular meningeal membrane that is closely applied to the dura mater and held against its inner surface by the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid.

Pia mater

A thin membrane that is highly vascularized by a network of fine blood vessels and adheres to the surface of the brain, following its contours.

Cranial meninges layers

The protective tissue layers surrounding the brain, including the outer dura mater (periosteal and meningeal layers), middle arachnoid mater, and inner pia mater.

Dural origin headache

A headache caused by the stimulation of sensory pain endings in the dura, often occurring when brain sagging after CSF removal pulls on the dura.

Cerebral contusion

Brain trauma (bruising) resulting from the impact of the brain against the cranium, where the pia is stripped from the brain surface and may be torn, allowing blood to enter the subarachnoid space.

Cerebral lacerations

Brain injuries often associated with depressed cranial fractures or gunshot wounds, causing rupture of blood vessels and bleeding into the brain and subarachnoid space.

Cerebral compression

Increased pressure on brain tissue produced by intracranial collections of blood, obstruction of CSF circulation/absorption, intracranial tumors or abscesses, or brain swelling from edema.

Hydrocephalus

A condition caused by overproduction of CSF, obstruction of its flow, or interference with its absorption, leading to excess CSF in the ventricles and enlargement of the head in infants.