Cisterna magna
Cisterna Magna
Cisterna Magna (pronounced: sis-TER-na MAG-na), also known as the Cerebellomedullary Cistern or the Great Cerebellar Cistern, is a prominent Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) filled space located between the Cerebellum and the dorsal surface of the Medulla Oblongata.
Etymology
The term 'Cisterna Magna' is derived from Latin, where 'Cisterna' translates to 'reservoir' and 'Magna' means 'great'. Thus, the term essentially refers to a 'great reservoir', indicative of its function as a large reservoir for cerebrospinal fluid.
Anatomy
The Cisterna Magna is one of the largest subarachnoid cisterns in the brain. It is located posterior to the medulla oblongata and inferior to the cerebellum. It communicates with the Fourth Ventricle of the brain, allowing for the flow of CSF.
Function
The primary function of the Cisterna Magna is to act as a reservoir for the CSF. The CSF is a clear, colorless body fluid that is found in the brain and spinal cord. It provides a cushioning effect to the brain, provides nutrients, and removes waste products.
Related Terms
- Subarachnoid Space: The space in the meninges between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater. It is filled with cerebrospinal fluid and continues down the spinal cord.
- Cerebrospinal Fluid: A clear, colorless body fluid found in the brain and spinal cord. It is produced in the ventricles of the brain.
- Fourth Ventricle: One of the four connected fluid-filled cavities within the human brain. These ventricles collectively form part of the ventricular system.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cisterna magna
- Wikipedia's article - Cisterna magna
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski