Intracranial pressureIntracranial pressure (ICP) is the pressure exerted by fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inside the skull and on the brain tissue. ICP is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and at rest, is normally 7–15 mmHg for a supine adult. This equals to 9–20 cmH2O, which is a common scale used in lumbar punctures.
Intracranial hemorrhageIntracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is bleedingwithin the skull. It can result from trauma, vascular abnormalities, hypertension, or other medical conditions. ICH is broadly categorized into several subtypes based on the location of the bleed: intracerebral hemorrhage (including intraparenchymal and intraventricular hemorrhages), subarachnoid hemorrhage, epidural hemorrhage, and subdural hematoma. Each subtype has distinct causes, clinical features, and treatment approaches.
Falx cerebriThe falx cerebri (also known as the cerebral falx) is a large, crescent-shaped fold of dura mater that descends vertically into the longitudinal fissure to separate the cerebral hemispheres. It supports the dural sinuses that provide venous and CSF drainage from the brain. It is attached to the crista galli anteriorly, and blends with the tentorium cerebelli posteriorly. The falx cerebri is often subject to age-related calcification, and a site of falcine meningiomas.
Mass effect (medicine)In medicine, a mass effect is the effect of a growing mass that results in secondary pathological effects by pushing on or displacing surrounding tissue. In oncology, the mass typically refers to a tumor.
Cerebellar tentoriumThe cerebellar tentorium or tentorium cerebelli (Latin for "tent of the cerebellum") is one of four dural folds that separate the cranial cavity into four (incomplete) compartments. The cerebellar tentorium separates the cerebellum from the cerebrum forming a supratentorial and an infratentorial region; the cerebrum is supratentorial and the cerebellum infratentorial. The free border of the tentorium gives passage to the midbrain (the upper-most part of the brainstem).
Traumatic brain injuryInjury of the brain from an external sourceMedical conditionA traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as an intracranial injury, is an injury to the brain caused by an external force. TBI can be classified based on severity ranging from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI/concussion) to severe traumatic brain injury.
Brain tumorNeoplasm in the brainMedical conditionA brain tumor (sometimes referred to as brain cancer) occurs when a group of cells within the brain grow out of control, creating a mass. There are two main types of tumors: malignant (cancerous) tumors and benign (non-cancerous) tumors.
Human brainCentral organ of the human nervous systemThe human brain is the central organ of the nervous system, and with the spinal cord, comprises the central nervous system. It consists of the cerebrum, the brainstem and the cerebellum. The brain controls most of the activities of the body, processing, integrating, and coordinating the information it receives from the sensory nervous system.
Spinal cordThe spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue that extends from the medulla oblongata in the lower brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column (backbone) of vertebrate animals. The center of the spinal cord is hollow and contains a structure called the central canal, which contains cerebrospinal fluid. The spinal cord is also covered by the meninges and enclosed by the neural arches.
Foramen magnumThe foramen magnum is a large, oval-shaped opening in the occipital bone of the skull. It is one of the several oval or circular openings (foramina) in the base of the skull. The spinal cord, an extension of the medulla oblongata, passes through the foramen magnum as it exits the cranial cavity.
SkullThe skull, or cranium, is typically a bony enclosure around the brain of a vertebrate. In some fish and amphibians, the skull is of cartilage. The skull is at the head end of the vertebrate. In a human, the skull comprises two prominent parts: the neurocranium and the facial skeleton, which evolved from the first pharyngeal arch.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.