Head: Meninges

Question 1

Cranial meninges

Answer 1

• Membranous coverings of the brain
• Protect brain
• Framework for vessels, venous sinuses, subarachnoid space

Question 2

3 connective tissue layers of cranial meninges

Answer 2

• Dura mater
• Arachnoid mater
• Pia mater

Question 3

Epidural Space

Answer 3

• Potential space between dura and skull

Question 4

Subarachnoid Space

Answer 4

• Between arachnoid and pia

Question 5

Subdural Space

Answer 5

• Potential space between arachnoid and dura

Question 6

2 layers of cranial Dura Mater

Answer 6

• Periosteal

- Meningeal

Question 7

Periosteal layer of cranial Dura Mater

Answer 7

• Strongly adheres to internal cranium

- Continuous with periosteum through foramina

Question 8

Meningeal layer of cranial Dura Mater

Answer 8

• Fused with periosteal layer except at dural reflections (infoldings)

Question 9

Dural reflections (infoldings)

Answer 9

• Meningeal layer “reflects” away from periosteal layer
• Forms partitions (dural septa) between parts of the brain
• Divides into compartments

Question 10

Cranial Dura Mater divisions

Answer 10

• Falx cerebri
• Tentorium cerebelli
• Falx cerebelli
• Diaphragma sella

Question 11

Falx Cerebri

Answer 11

• Separates cerebral hemispheres, located in brain longitudinal fissure

Question 12

Tentorium Cerebelli

Answer 12

• Divides cranium into supr- and infra-tentorial compartments
• Creates tentorial notch, where the brainstem extends inferiorly

Question 13

Falx Cerebri attaches to

Answer 13

• Crista galli
• Frontal crest
• IOP
• Tentorium cerebelli

Question 14

Tentorium Cerebelli attaches to

Answer 14

• Petrous ridge

- Clinoid processes

Question 15

Falx Cerebelli

Answer 15

• Separates cerebellar hemispheres

Question 16

Falx Cerebelli attaches to

Answer 16

• Internal occipital crest

Question 17

Diaphragma Sellae

Answer 17

• Dural roof over hypophyseal fossa

- Covers pituitary gland

Question 18

Diaphragma Sellae attaches to

Answer 18

• Clinoid processes

Question 19

Innervation of the Dura

Answer 19

• Primarily by meningeal branches of trigeminal nerve

- Cervical nerves also innervate dura in posterior cranial fossa

Question 20

Dural venous sinuses

Answer 20

• Endothelial lined spaces between dural layers

- Receive venous drainage from cerebral veins (from brain) and via emissary veins

Question 21

Superior Sagittal Sinus

Answer 21

• Superior aspect of falx cerebri

Question 22

Inferior Sagittal Sinus

Answer 22

• Inferior free border of falx cerebri

Question 23

Transverse Sinus

Answer 23

• Attached portion of tentorium cerebelli

Question 24

Sigmoid Sinus

Answer 24

• Continuation of transverse sinus

- Continuous with IJV at jugular foramen

Question 25

Occipital Sinus

Answer 25

- Attached portion of falx cerebelli | - Communicates with internal vertebral venous plexus inferiorly

Question 26

Straight Sinus

Answer 26

- Line of attachment of falx cerebri to tentorium cerebelli | - Formed by union of inferior sagittal sinus and great cerebral vein

Question 27

Sinuses that join with the confluence of sinuses

Answer 27

- Superior sagittal - Straight - Occipital - Transverse

Question 28

Cavernous Sinus

Answer 28

- Located on both sides of sella turcica plexus of veins | - Communicates with the sup/inf ophthalmic veins anteriorly

Question 29

Superior Petrosal Sinus

Answer 29

- Connects cavernous sinus to transverse sinus | - Runs along petrous ridge along the petrous ridge

Question 30

Inferior Petrosal Sinus

Answer 30

- Connects cavernous sinus to the sigmoid sinus/IJV junction

Question 31

Basilar Plexus

Answer 31

- Runs along the clivus | - Communicates with internal venous plexus

Question 32

Structures found within the Cavernous Sinus

Answer 32

- ICA and surrounding sympathetics - Abducens nerve - Oculomotor, trochlear, maxillary, and ophthalmic nerve are in the lateral wall

Question 33

Nerves found in the lateral wall of the Cavernous Sinus

Answer 33

- Oculomotor - Trochlear - Maxillary - Ophthalmic

Question 34

Danger Triangle of the face

Answer 34

- Venous communication between facial vein and superior ophthalmic vein - Spread of infection from facial area to cavernous sinus

Question 35

Arterial Dural blood supply

Answer 35

- Middle meningeal artery | - Frontal, and parietal branches

Question 36

Meningeal branches of Dural blood supply

Answer 36

- Vertebral - Ascending pharyngeal - Ethmoidal arteries

Question 37

Pterion fracture

Answer 37

- Damages middle meningeal artery (or vein) causing a epidural hematoma