Brain herniation
Brain Herniation
Brain herniation (pronunciation: /ˈhɝːniːˌeɪʃən/) is a potentially deadly side effect of very high pressure within the skull that occurs when a part of the brain is squeezed across structures within the skull. The brain can shift across such structures as the falx cerebri, the tentorium cerebelli, and even through the foramen magnum (the hole in the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes).
Etymology
The term "herniation" comes from the Latin word "hernia", which means "a rupture". In medical terms, a hernia typically describes the movement of an organ from its usual place to another through an opening.
Types of Brain Herniation
There are several types of brain herniation, each named according to where in the brain the herniation occurs:
- Uncal herniation - This type of herniation occurs when the innermost part of the frontal lobe (the uncus) is squeezed so much that it moves towards the tentorium and puts pressure on the brainstem.
- Central herniation - This type of herniation occurs when the brain is squeezed straight downward. The diencephalon and parts of the temporal lobes are pushed through the tentorium.
- Transcalvarial herniation - This type of herniation occurs when brain tissue is squeezed out of the skull through a fracture or surgical defect.
- Tonsillar herniation - This type of herniation occurs when the cerebellar tonsils are squeezed downward through the foramen magnum and into the spinal canal.
Related Terms
- Intracranial pressure - The pressure inside the skull and thus in the brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid.
- Cerebrospinal fluid - The clear body fluid that is found in the brain and spinal cord.
- Brainstem - The posterior part of the brain, adjoining and structurally continuous with the spinal cord.
- Cerebellum - The part of the brain at the back of the skull in vertebrates, which coordinates and regulates muscular activity.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Brain herniation
- Wikipedia's article - Brain herniation
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