Cistern (neuroanatomy)
Encyclopedia
In neuroanatomy, a cistern (Latin
: "box") is any opening in the subarachnoid space of the brain
created by a separation of the arachnoid
and pia mater
. These spaces are filled with cerebrospinal fluid
. There are many cisterns in the brain with several especially large, notable ones each with their own name.
Some major subarachnoid cisterns:
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
: "box") is any opening in the subarachnoid space of the brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
created by a separation of the arachnoid
Meninges
The meninges is the system of membranes which envelopes the central nervous system. The meninges consist of three layers: the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. The primary function of the meninges and of the cerebrospinal fluid is to protect the central nervous system.-Dura...
and pia mater
Pia mater
Pia mater often referred to as simply the pia, is the delicate innermost layer of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The word finds its roots in Latin, meaning literally "tender mother." The other two meningeal membranes are the dura mater and the arachnoid mater....
. These spaces are filled with cerebrospinal fluid
Cerebrospinal fluid
Cerebrospinal fluid , Liquor cerebrospinalis, is a clear, colorless, bodily fluid, that occupies the subarachnoid space and the ventricular system around and inside the brain and spinal cord...
. There are many cisterns in the brain with several especially large, notable ones each with their own name.
Some major subarachnoid cisterns:
- Cerebellomedullary cistern (Cisterna magna) - the largest of the subarachnoid cisterns.
- Pontine cisternPontine cisternThe Pontine cistern is a considerable space on the ventral aspect of the pons.It contains the basilar artery, and is continuous behind with the subarachnoid cavity of the medulla spinalis, and with the cisterna cerebellomedullaris; and in front of the pons with the cisterna interpeduncularis....
(Prepontine cistern or cisterna pontis) - Interpeduncular cisternInterpeduncular cisternThe interpeduncular cistern is a wide cavity where the arachnoid extends across between the two temporal lobes....
(Cisterna interpeduncularis) - Superior cistern (Quadrigeminal cistern or cistern of the great cerebral vein)
- Ambient cistern (Cisterna ambiens) - thin, sheet-like extensions of the superior cistern that extend laterally about the midbrain, connecting it to the interpeduncular cistern. Ambient cistern may also refer to the combination of these extensions and the superior cistern.