Lecture 3

Question 1

Is the epidural space in the spinal cord and cerebrum a true space or potential space?

Answer 1

spinal cord - true space (filled with fat and venous plexus)

brain - potential space

Question 2

What are denticulate ligaments?

Answer 2

Pia mater outgrowths that connect the pia mater with dura mater, to provide structural support for the spinal cord

Question 3

Is there a true subdural space in the brain and spinal cord

Answer 3

no

Question 4

How much CSF does the brain produce daily? and what volume of CSF occupies the brain?

Answer 4

~ 450ml daily, ~ 150ml at a time (changes 3 times daily)

Question 5

What are the main functions of CSF? (x2)

Answer 5

• physical support for brain/spinal cord within neurocranium (reduces brain weight by 60)
• homoeostasis (substitute for lack of lymphatic system)

Question 6

What are the main dural folds/reflections? (x3)

Answer 6

• tentorium cerebelli (runs through transverse fissure; separates cerebellum and cerebrum)
• falx cerebri (runs through longitudinal fissure; separates two hemispheres)
• sellar diaphragm (separates rest of diencephalon with pituitary gland)

Question 7

what are the major sinuses

Answer 7

• superior sagittal (runs superiorly along longitudinal fissure)
• inferior sagittal (runs inferiorly along longitudinal fissure)
• straight sinus/sinus rectus/tentorial sinus (runs between falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli)

Question 8

what are the two layers of dura mater?

Answer 8

periosteal layer (outer)
meningeal layer (inner)

Question 9

What are the procedural steps taken by CSF?

Answer 9

• produced in choroid plexus in lateral and fourth ventricles
• released into subarachnoid space via lateral and medial apertures
• released into sinus via arachnoid granulations

Question 10

The Circle of Willis lies on the _____ of the brain

Answer 10

base

Question 11

The middle cerebral arteries supply

Answer 11

• mainly lateral surface of all lobes

- the basal ganglia

Question 12

The anterior cerebral arteries supply

Answer 12

• Mainly medial surface of frontal, parietal lobes

- superior surface of frontal and parietal lobes

Question 13

The posterior cerebral arteries supply

Answer 13

• most of basal surface of brain
• medial temporal lobes
• surface of occipital lobes

Question 14

The basilar artery supplies

Answer 14

the pons

Question 15

The vertebral arteries supply the

Answer 15

medulla

Question 16

the anterior spinal artery branches from the

Answer 16

vertebral arteries

Question 17

the posterior spinal arteries branch from the

Answer 17

vertebral arteries or PICA

Question 18

which segment of the spinal cord receives the least input from segmental arteries and is thus vulnerable?

Answer 18

thoracic

Question 19

the cervical spinal cord is supplied by?

Answer 19

vertebral and medullary segmental arteries

Question 20

the thoracic, lumbar and sacral spinal cord is supplied by?

Answer 20

mainly segmental medullary artieries

Question 21

The artery of Adamkiewicz, which originates from _____, serves as the main blood supply to ______.

Answer 21

• T8 to L1

- sacral and lumbar spinal cord

Question 22

The superior sagittal sinus and great vein of Galen both drain into _____ which leads to ______ then _____ and into ______.

Answer 22

• the confluens
• the transverse sinus
• the sigmoid sinus
• the internal jugular vein