FNA Module 1: Forebrain anatomy
Objectives
1. Identify:
a. the bones that form the cranial cavity,
b. the major foramina,
c. groove for the middle meningeal artery,
d. grooves for the dural venous sinuses
e. and the boundaries for the anterior, middle and posterior
cranial fossa.
2. Describe
a. the three meningeal membranes,
b. the spaces formed between them
c. and the vessels located in these spaces and traversing them.
3. Describe the most common sources of bleeding that occurs between
the meningeal membranes.
4. Describe the positions of various folds of dura matter:
a. the falx cerebri,
b. falx cerebelli,
c. tentorium cerebelli ,
d. diaphragma sellae
e. and the venous sinuses formed by these dural folds
5. Describe the phenomenon of “uncal herniation” and the structures
that lie in close proximity to the tentorial notch that may be
compromised when this occurs.
6. Describe where cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is produced and its path of
circulation.
7. Identify the major landmarks visible on the lateral, basal and mid-
sagittal views of the brain.
8. Identify the boundaries of the divisions of the brain and describe the
developmental events that have led to the shape of the hemispheres
and the C-shape of many forebrain structures.
9. Identify the major landmarks that are seen on frontal, horizontal and
parasagittal sections of gross brains.
Tutorial notes
The development of the brain and spinal cord:
o Picture is at 3rd week of gestation
o Rostral end enlarges to become the brain, caudal end extends to
become spinal cord
o Prosencephalin gives rise to telencephalon and diencephalon,
mesencephalon, rhombencephalon (aka hindbrain, gives rise to
pons, cerebrum and medulla)
Dural folds – double layer of meninges
o Different dural infoldings are called different things
o Middle meningeal artery and vein
o Two layers of dura will enclose a sinus
Formation of sinuses (containing venous blood)
Objectives
1. Identify:
a. the bones that form the cranial cavity,
b. the major foramina,
c. groove for the middle meningeal artery,
d. grooves for the dural venous sinuses
e. and the boundaries for the anterior, middle and posterior
cranial fossa.
2. Describe
a. the three meningeal membranes,
b. the spaces formed between them
c. and the vessels located in these spaces and traversing them.
3. Describe the most common sources of bleeding that occurs between
the meningeal membranes.
4. Describe the positions of various folds of dura matter:
a. the falx cerebri,
b. falx cerebelli,
c. tentorium cerebelli ,
d. diaphragma sellae
e. and the venous sinuses formed by these dural folds
5. Describe the phenomenon of “uncal herniation” and the structures
that lie in close proximity to the tentorial notch that may be
compromised when this occurs.
6. Describe where cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is produced and its path of
circulation.
7. Identify the major landmarks visible on the lateral, basal and mid-
sagittal views of the brain.
8. Identify the boundaries of the divisions of the brain and describe the
developmental events that have led to the shape of the hemispheres
and the C-shape of many forebrain structures.
9. Identify the major landmarks that are seen on frontal, horizontal and
parasagittal sections of gross brains.
Tutorial notes
The development of the brain and spinal cord:
o Picture is at 3rd week of gestation
o Rostral end enlarges to become the brain, caudal end extends to
become spinal cord
o Prosencephalin gives rise to telencephalon and diencephalon,
mesencephalon, rhombencephalon (aka hindbrain, gives rise to
pons, cerebrum and medulla)
Dural folds – double layer of meninges
o Different dural infoldings are called different things
o Middle meningeal artery and vein
o Two layers of dura will enclose a sinus
Formation of sinuses (containing venous blood)
