Underdeveloped brain could deal with several different types of effects like ms

L Bennett

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Nene Osaroeba

Clinically relevant cranial subarachnoid cisterns

Subarachniod Cisterns:
Are dilatations in the subarachnoid spaces located principally at the base of the brain. 

Radiological visualization of the subarachnoid cisterns is important in the localization of pathologic processes, especially those due to tumours in the base of the brain.

The diagram above shows the clinically relevant cranial subarachnoid cisterns which include:

1. Cisterna Magna (cisterns cerebellomedullaris) : is located between the medulla, cerebellum and occipital bone. It is the largest subarachnoid cistern. CSF from the Fourth Ventricle reaches the cisterna magna via the Foramen of Magendie and Foramen of Luschka. This cistern is continuous anteriority with the cisterna pontis. The cisterna magna is occasionally accessed to obtain CSF in cisternal puncture.

2. Cisterna Pontis:
Is located between the basis Pontus and the clivus. It has a midline segment and two lateral extensions. The midline segment is important in localising pathologic processes in the pontine area, while the lateral extensions are useful in localisation of pathologic processes in the cerebellopontine angle. The basilar artery and 6th (abducens) nerve run in the cisterna pontis.

3. Medullary Cistern:
lies ventral and lateral to the medulla oblongata. The vertebral arteries are located in this cistern.

4. Cisterna Interpeduncularis:
Extends between the cerebral peduncles and is helpful in the localization of pathology in that region. The oculomotor nerve exits the midbrain through the interpeduncular cistern.

5. Suprasellar Cistern:
Located dorsal to the sella turcuica and communicates with the cisterna interpeduncularis. The suprasellar cistern is divided into: prechiasmatic(located anterior and above the optic chiasma) and postchiasmatic part (located behind and below the optic chiasma). The suprasellar cistern is important in localisation of pathologic processes in or around the sella turcica and optic chiasma.

6. Superior (quadrigeminal) cistern:
Located dorsal to the midbrain. It contains the Vein of Galen. The interpeduncular and superior cisterns are connected along the lateral surface of the midbrain by the Ambient Cistern(cisterna ambiens). 


The clinical relevance of the spinal subarachnoid cistern is the lumbar cistern, site of lumbar puncture (spinal tap).

Clinically relevant cranial subarachnoid cisterns

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