Falx
Falx
Falx (/fælks/; from Latin falx, "sickle") is a term used in anatomy to refer to a number of structures that have a curved shape, reminiscent of a sickle.
Etymology
The term falx is derived from the Latin word for "sickle", due to the similarity in shape. This term has been used in medical terminology since the time of ancient Rome.
Anatomy
There are two main structures in the human body that are commonly referred to as the falx: the Falx cerebri and the Falx cerebelli.
The Falx cerebri is a large, sickle-shaped fold of dura mater, the outermost of the three layers of the meninges that surround the brain. It descends vertically in the longitudinal fissure between the cerebral hemispheres.
The Falx cerebelli is a small, sickle-shaped fold of dura mater, projecting forwards into the posterior cerebellar notch and the vallecula of the cerebellum. It lies inferior to the tentorium cerebelli and separates the two cerebellar hemispheres.
Related Terms
- Dura mater: The tough outermost membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord.
- Meninges: The three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord.
- Cerebellum: The part of the brain at the back of the skull that coordinates and regulates muscular activity.
- Cerebral hemispheres: The two halves of the cerebrum, the part of the brain that controls muscle functions and also controls speech, thought, emotions, reading, writing, and learning.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Falx
- Wikipedia's article - Falx
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