Neuroanatomy — Flashcards

Flashcard 31: Where is the reticular activating system located?

Answer: Brainstem (primarily midbrain and upper pons); it projects to the thalamus and cerebral cortex.

Extra: The Reticular Activating System (RAS) is responsible for maintaining alertness and consciousness. It originates in the reticular formation of the brainstem.

Flashcard 32: How is the "homonculus" positioned on the cerebral cortex?

Answer: feet - medial face - lateral

Flashcard 33: What regions of the brain are most susceptible to ischemic injury?

Answer: hippocampus, neocortex, cerebellum, watershed areas

Flashcard 34: posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)

Answer: lateral medulla, cerebellum

Extra: vomiting, vertigo, nystagmus; loss of pain/temp in limbs/face, dysphagia, hoarseness, Horner's syndrome, ataxia, dysmetria, loss of gag reflex

Flashcard 35: Which clinical syndrome is caused by occlusion of the Anterior Spinal Artery (ASA) in the medulla?

Answer: Medial Medullary Syndrome: Medial Lemniscus, Corticospinal Tract, Hypoglossal Nerve (CN XII)

Extra: Supplies the medial medulla. Clinical features: 1. Contralateral hemiparesis (Corticospinal tract) 2. Contralateral loss of proprioception/vibration (Medial Lemniscus) 3. Ipsilateral tongue deviation (Hypoglossal nerve/nucleus)

Flashcard 36: What is the name of the opening that connects the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle?

Answer: Interventricular foramen (of Monro)

Flashcard 37: Identify number 3

Answer: third ventricle

Flashcard 38: What is the function of the dural venous sinuses?

Answer: drain blood from cerebral veins, receive CSF from arachnoid granulations

Flashcard 39: Where is CSF reabsorbed?

Answer: arachnoid granulations

Flashcard 40: What is the name of the C-shaped cavity located within each cerebral hemisphere that contains cerebrospinal fluid?

Answer: Lateral ventricle

Extra: The lateral ventricles are part of the ventricular system of the brain. They communicate with the third ventricle via the interventricular foramen (of Monro).