CSF is born in the choroids plexus, into the lateral, third and fourth ventricles. It flows through the sub-Arachnoid spaces, and bathes the brain and spinal chord. CSF drains into the subarachnooid space via median and lateral apertures, located in the fourth ventricle, facing posterior. Cisterns are dilated Sub-Arachnoid spaces formed at flexures of the brain. In general avoid thinking central canal is part of this flow, because such flow is minimal to non-existent. The CSF travels to the arachnoid where the cerebrospinal fluid is reabsorbed by the villi, where they project into the superior sagittal sinus and out of the brain.
Some structures, descriptions (light)
- sulcus- fissures on surface of cortex, makes possible the huge surface area (cool if you want to think.)
- gyrus- the bulging tissue ridge in cortex surrounded by varying number of sulci
- spinal cord- CNS to brain, sensory and motor functions through this structure.
- medulla- relay station, motor tracts between spinal cord and brain, most caudal part of brain stem
- pons – relay sensory information between cerebellum and cerebrum
- cerebellum- integration of sensory perception and motor control
- brain stem- continuous with the spinal cord, generally considered to include medulla and mesencephalon
- midbrain- CSF, auditory center ( mesencephalon)
- cerebral cortex- consciousness, language, memory, thought, awareness, super fast, super connected.
- cerebellar vermis- comparable to gyrus, except more worm-like, and located on cerebellum
- folia –tight folds on surface of cerebellum, similar to gyrus and suclus of cerebrum, but tighter
- medial longitudinal fissure- separates two hemispheres of brain, probably aids in compartmentalizing signaling so it is manageable.
- pia mater- closest to the cortex, ultra thin layer, protective, delicate.
- corpus callosum- unites two halves of cerebrum
- inferior colliculi- auditory nerve center
- optic nerve- relay sensory information
- pituitary gland- most endocrine glands depend on its secretions for stimulation, growth hormone, ACTH big hormone producer, body regulator
- dura mater- safety belt of the brain, ultra tough, support and protect
- cranial nerve #3, ocularmotor nerve, movements of eye
- tentorium cerebelli- dura mater separates cerebellum from inferior portion of occipital lobes
- cranial nerve #7- key in facial expression and scalp, also needed for taste in anterior 2/3 of tongue.
- olfactory bulb- essential for smell, without it functioning properly you will suffer from anosmia; not being able to detect odors.
- trigeminal- facial sensation, mastication
- hypothalamus- homeostasis, supervision, and some behavioral controls
- spinal accessory nerve- sensation to shoulders, turning neck, shrugging
- thalamus- controls incoming sensory impulses, except those for smell
- caudate nucleus- highly innervated by dopamine neurons
- neocortex- conscious thought and language specific to humans, important for spatial reasoning, generation of motor commands and sensory perception
- third ventricle – part of CSF pathway, also is filled with it.
- fourth ventricle- characteristic diamond shape, also is the sort of doorway to the subarachnoid space for the CSF through apertures.
