Neuroanatomy Atlas in Clinical Context

66 CHAPTER 4 / MENINGES, CISTERNS, VENTRICLES, AND RELATED HEMORRHAGES

A

Paracallosal cistern

Quadrigeminal cistern

Lamina terminalis cistern

Fourth ventricle B

Chiasmatic cistern Interpeduncular cistern

C

Prepontine cistern

Premedullary cistern

D

Cisterna magna

B

Lamina terminalis cistern Optic tract

Sylvian cistern Crural cistern Midbrain

Interpeduncular cistern

Ambient cistern

Quadrigeminal cistern

Inferior colliculus

C

Prepontine cistern

Trigeminal nerve

Basilar artery

Superior cerebellopontine cistern

Basilar pons

Fourth ventricle

D

Premedullary cistern

Medulla

Inferior cerebellopontine cistern

Cisterna magna

Tonsil of cerebellum

Copyright © Wolters Kluwer, Inc. Unauthorized reproduction of the content is prohibited. 2024

4-6 A median sagittal MRI ( A , T2-weighted) of the brain showing the positions of the major cisterns associated with midline structures. Axial views of the midbrain ( B , T1-weighted), pons ( C , T2-weighted), and medulla ( D , T2-weighted) represent the correspond ing planes indicated in the sagittal view ( A ). Cisterns are the enlarged portions of the subarachnoid space that contain arteries and veins , roots of cranial nerves , and, of

course, cerebrospinal fluid . Consequently, the subarachnoid space and cisterns are continuous one with the other. In addition, the sub arachnoid space around the brain is continuous with that around the spinal cord (Figure 4-1). Compare the locations and shapes of these cisterns with the blood-filled parts of the subarachnoid space and contiguous cisterns shown in Figure 4-7 on the facing page.