Anatomy of the Brain & CSF flow
This thick, strong, outer layer of meninges provides protection for the brain.
What is the dura mater?
A neurosurgeon who needs access to the brain may perform this procedure, where they remove a part of the bone/skull from the cranium.
What is a craniotomy?
This motor pathway is the most clinically relevant motor pathway and is responsible for voluntary motor control of the limbs.
What is the lateral corticospinal pathway?
You decide to use the ASIA exam when you are testing a person with this condition.
What is a spinal cord injury?
This artery primarily supplies the occipital lobe and thalamus on the right side of the brain.
What is the right PCA (posterior cerebral artery)?
Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in this structure of the brain.
What is the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricles?
Inflammation of the meninges, which can be caused by bacteria, fungus, and virus, is called this.
What is meningitis?
The DCML or PCML pathway carries information about joint position sense, which is also called this.
What is proprioception?
On the ASIA exam, if you are testing sensation near the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, you are likely testing this dermatome.
What is the C5 dermatome?
This artery has superior, inferior, and deep branches that provide blood to different areas of the cortex.
What is the MCA stem (Middle cerebral artery)?
Cerebral arteries and veins are located in this brain space.
What is the subarachnoid space?
This condition, where blood has accumulated between the skull and the dura mater after a skull fracture, is called this.
What is an epidural hematoma?
The decussation point for this pathway is at the pyramidal decussation.
What is the lateral corticospinal tract?
On the ASIA exam, you test the innervation of the C5 myotome, by testing this group of muscles.
What are the elbow flexors?
When thinking about posterior circulation, the vertebral arteries join together to form this artery.
What is the basilar artery?
The cerebrospinal fluid passes through this structure when traveling from the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle.
What is the foramen of monro (interventricular foramen)?
Atherosclerosis can cause this common type of stroke, where a clot forms and blocks blood flow to the brain.
What is an ischemic (thrombotic-type) stroke?
Your patient has a small central cord lesion impacting this location of crossing for the anterolateral system.
What is the anterior commissure?
With this type of spinal cord injury, the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord is spared leaving vibration, proprioception, and fine touch intact.
What is an anterior cord injury?
The posterior inferior cerebellar artery is a branch off this artery.
What is the vertebral artery?
Meningococcal bacteria can cause the tight junctions of this structure to open slightly, allowing bacteria and toxins to enter the brain, when it would have otherwise protected the brain.
What is the blood brain barrier?
Lesions at the foramen of Monro (interventricular foramen) causing blockage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can cause this condition.
What is non-communicating (obstructive) hydrocephalus?
This pathway heads to the reticular formation to support arousal and emotional response to pain.
What is the spinoreticular tract?
With this type of spinal cord injury, you will expect that your patient will lose the ability to interpret contralateral pain and temperature sensation below the level of the lesion, and ipsilateral motor, vibration sense, and proprioception below the level of the lesion.
What is a hemicord lesion (Brown Sequard Syndrome)?
Your patient has right-side homonymous hemianopia, and since their occipital lobe is intact, you suspect this artery has been impacted.
What is the left inferior MCA (middle cerebral artery)?