Falx cerebri
Encyclopedia
The falx cerebri, also known as the cerebral falx, so named from its sickle-like form, is a strong, arched fold of dura mater
which descends vertically in the longitudinal fissure between the cerebral hemispheres.
It is narrow in front, where it is attached to the crista galli
of the ethmoid; and broad behind, where it is connected with the upper surface of the tentorium cerebelli
.
Its upper margin is convex, and attached to the inner surface of the skull in the middle line, as far back as the internal occipital protuberance
; it contains the superior sagittal sinus
. Its lower margin is free and concave, and contains the inferior sagittal sinus
.
The falx cerebri is known to calcify with age.
Dura mater
The dura mater , or dura, is the outermost of the three layers of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is derived from Mesoderm. The other two meningeal layers are the pia mater and the arachnoid mater. The dura surrounds the brain and the spinal cord and is responsible for...
which descends vertically in the longitudinal fissure between the cerebral hemispheres.
It is narrow in front, where it is attached to the crista galli
Crista galli
The crista galli is a median ridge of bone that projects from the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone.It is where the falx cerebri attaches anteriorly to the skull....
of the ethmoid; and broad behind, where it is connected with the upper surface of the tentorium cerebelli
Tentorium cerebelli
The tentorium cerebelli or cerebellar tentorium is an extension of the dura mater that separates the cerebellum from the inferior portion of the occipital lobes.-Anatomy:...
.
Its upper margin is convex, and attached to the inner surface of the skull in the middle line, as far back as the internal occipital protuberance
Internal occipital protuberance
Along the internal surface of the occipital bone, at the point of intersection of the four divisions of the cruciate eminence is the internal occipital protuberance. Running transversely on either side is a groove for the transverse sinus.-External links:*...
; it contains the superior sagittal sinus
Superior sagittal sinus
The superior sagittal sinus , within the human head, is an unpaired area along the attached margin of falx cerebri. It allows blood to drain from the lateral aspects of anterior cerebral hemispheres to the confluence of sinuses...
. Its lower margin is free and concave, and contains the inferior sagittal sinus
Inferior sagittal sinus
The inferior sagittal sinus , within the human head, is an area beneath the brain which allows blood to drain outwards posteriorly from the center of the head. It drains to the straight sinus , which connects to the transverse sinuses...
.
The falx cerebri is known to calcify with age.