Development of

the Nervous
System

Meninges

Maj-Maj
Deriada,
M.D.

Ventricles

Competencies: Development of the

CNS
> Describe the formation of the neural tube
> Describe the subsequent formation of the
primary and secondary brain vesicles
> Name the corresponding ventricles in each
of the brain vesicles
> Enumerate the adult derivatives of each of
the secondary brain vesicles
> Enumerate the cells in nervous tissue and
describe briefly their origin and
development

Competencies: Development of the

CNS
> Describe the origin of neural crest cells
> State the adult derivatives of the different
layers of the neural tube
1. Ventricular zone (ependymal layer)
2. Mantle layer
3. Marginal layer
> Give the functional significance of the alar
and basal laminae
> State the more common congenital
anomalies that occur during the
development of the CNS

Competencies: The Meninges of

the Brain and Spinal Cord
> Name/describe the three meninges
> Define the terms pachymeninx and
leptomeninx
>Describe the dural reflections and the
formation of the:
1. falx cerebri
2. falx cerebelli
3. tentorium cerebelli
4. diaphragma sellae
> Identify the dural venous sinuses

Competencies: The Meninges of

the Brain and Spinal Cord
> Name the spaces associated with the
meninges and the contents of each
> Describe the anatomical basis of the bloodbrain barrier (BBB)
> Describe the mechanism of epidural and
subdural hematoma
> Describe the formation of the Pacchionian
(arachnoid) granulations and their role in the
absorption of CSF
> Define and locate the cisterns
> State the lowest possible level of termination
of the spinal cord

Competencies: The Ventricular

System
> Describe the ventricular system of the brain.
> Locate the sites of formation and absorption
of cerebrospinal fluid.
> Enumerate the areas where CSF is normally
found.
> Trace the flow of CSF from the area of
formation to the area of absorption.
> State the usual site where CSF is obtained.
> State the composition and functions of CSF.
> Differentiate the mechanism of formation of
the communicating and noncommunicating
types of hydrocephalus.

Early
Developme
nt

Development of the Nervous System:

3 Main Cell Layers:
Entoderm
- GIT
- lungs
- liver
Mesoderm

muscle
connective tissue
vascular sys.

Ectoderm

- nervous sys.

Development of the
Nervous System:
3rd week:
Ectoderm
neural plate
neural groove
neural folds
Fuse at the midpoint

neural tube

Neural tube:
> Anterior and
posterior
neuropores
> closure is
complete w/in 4
wks.
> sinks beneath
surface of
ectoderm

Neural crest:

Primary Brain Vesicles:

Spinal
Cord

Development of the Spinal Cord:

Matrix cellspseudostratified
columnar epith.
cells

- Astro-/oligodendrocytes

Matrix
cells
VENTRICULAR ZONE

MARGINAL Z.INTERMEDIATE/ myelinated

(WHITE
MANTLE Z.
(GRAY MATTER) MATTER)

*Ependymal cells-fr. matrix cells; line the neural tube

Developing spinal cord

Floor &
Roof
Plates

Developing spinal cord

Intermediate
zone:
Basal plate
- motor cells
Alar plate
- sensory
cells

Sulcus
limitans

Developing spinal cord

Ant.
Median
fissure
Posterior
median
septum
Central
canal

Development of the Meninges;

Relation of
the Spinal Cord to the
Vertebral Column:
Pia, arachnoid & dura mater- sclerotome
Subarachnoid space- CSF

1st 2 mos. same length

vert. column grows more
rapidly
at birth - end of cord at L3
adult

- lower border of L1

> Disproportion in rate of growth

ant. and post. roots below L1
> Pia mater filum terminale

Cauda equina (S2)- SA space

Spinal tap
Cervical/Lumbar
enlargements (4th mo.)

Brain

Divisions
of the
Developing
Brain:
prosencephalon
mesencephalon
rhombencephalon

5th week

The Primary Divisions of the Developing Brain:

1 Division:
prosencephalon
(forebrain)
hippocampus

2 Division:
telencephalon

Adult Structures:
cerebral hemisphere
basal ganglia

diencephalon
thala-/hypothalamus
pineal body
infundibulum
mesencephalon
(midbrain)
crus cerebri

tectum
tegmentum

rhombencephalon
(hindbrain)
myelencephalon

metencephalon
medulla oblongata

pons, cerebellum

Ventricular
System:

INTERVENTRICULAR
FORAMEN (FORAMINA OF
MONRO)

Ependyma
CSF
(iter)

5th week

Medulla Oblongata (Myelencephalon):

Basal plates- CN IX to XII

Alar plates - CN V, VIII, IX and X
- gracile & cuneate nuclei
- olivary nuclei

Medulla Oblongata (Myelencephalon):

Tela choroidea choroid

plexus
4th-5th mos:
Foramen of Luschka
Foramen of Magendie
- CSF

Medulla Oblongata (Myelencephalon):

Pyramid

Precentral gyrus descending

axons pyramid

Pons: Metencephalon, Ventral

Basal plates- CN V, VI and VII

Alar plates- CN V, VII and VIII; pontine nuclei

Cerebellum:
Metencephalon, posterior

Rhombic lip

12th wk.

Cerebellum:
4th mo.- fissures

Superior
view

Inferior
view

Cerebellum:
Cerebellar cortex
Dentate, other deep nuclei

Cerebellar peduncles:
Superior
Middle
Inferior

Midbrain: Mesencephalon

Basal plate:
CN III, IV
Red nuclei
Substantia nigra
Reticular
formation

CORTICOPONTINE T.
CN III

CORTICOBULBAR T.
CORTICOSPINAL T.

Midbrain:

Superior colliculi- visual reflexes

Inferior colliculi- auditory reflexes

Forebrain
(Prosencephalon):

RETINA AND
OPTIC NERVE

OPTIC
VESICLE

Fate of the Telencephalon:

Fate of the Telencephalon:

III

Cerebral Hemispheres:

5th week
FALX
CEREBRI

Cerebral Hemispheres:

Cerebral
Hemispheres:
Choroid plexusfunction

Corpus
striatum

Cerebral Hemispheres:
INTERNAL CAPSULEasc./desc. tracts

HIPPOCAMPUS

Cerebral
Cortex:

convolutions/gyri
sulci/fissures
insula

Lentiform
nucleus

Fate of the Diencephalon:

III
- pineal body

Fate of the Diencephalon:

III
THALAMUS
INTERTHALAMIC
CONNECTION

HYPOTHALAMIC
NUCLEI

MAMMILLARY BODIES

Fate of the Diencephalon:

INFUNDIBULUM

Clinical Correlates: Common Defects of the CNS

Spina bifida
- spines and arches
- lower thoracic, lumbar and sacral regions
- meninges and spinal cord
- failure of mesenchyme to
form the vertebral arches

Hydrocephalus

Anencephaly

Clinical Correlates: Common Defects of the CNS

Spina bifida: Types
1.) Spina Bifida Occulta

Postvertebral muscles
Tuft of hair, fatty tumor
Symptomless; no treatment
X-ray

2.) Meningocoele

CSF
Subarachnoid space
Spinal cord, nerves usu.
normal
Surgery

3.) Myelomeningocoele

Spinal cord and nerve roots

are adherent to the sac
Surgery

Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus:
Noncommunicating Hydrocephalus

Blockage between choroid plexuses and the apertures of

the 4th ventricle.
-aqueduct stenosis
-masses
-haematoma, intraventricular
-tumors
-abscesses
-atresia of apertures

Communicating Hydrocephalus

No obstruction

CSF reaches the subarachnoid space

Irritation of meninges; inc. CSF viscosity

Anencephaly:
Brain and vault
rostral end of neural tube
Optic n.- absent
open neural tube
USG/ x-ray
still born, die shortly

Summary/Review:
?
?
?
?
?

The Primary Divisions of the Developing Brain:

1 Division:
prosencephalon
(forebrain)
hippocampus

2 Division:
telencephalon

Adult Structures:
cerebral hemisphere
basal ganglia

diencephalon
thala-/hypothalamus
pineal body
infundibulum
mesencephalon
(midbrain)
crus cerebri

tectum
tegmentum

rhombencephalon
(hindbrain)
myelencephalon

metencephalon
medulla oblongata

pons, cerebellum

Developing Spinal Cord

?

Competencies: Development of the

CNS
> Describe the formation of the neural tube
> Describe the subsequent formation of the
primary and secondary brain vesicles
> Name the corresponding ventricles in each
of the brain vesicles
> Enumerate the adult derivatives of each of
the secondary brain vesicles
> Enumerate the cells in nervous tissue and
describe briefly their origin and
development

Competencies: Development of the

CNS
> Describe the origin of neural crest cells
> State the adult derivatives of the different
layers of the neural tube
1. Ventricular zone (ependymal layer)
2. Mantle layer
3. Marginal layer
> Give the functional significance of the alar
and basal laminae
> State the more common congenital
anomalies that occur during the
development of the CNS

Meninges of the Brain

and Spinal Cord:
Dura mater- pachymeninx
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater

leptomeninges

Meninges of the Brain:

Dura Mater: 2 layers
Venous sinuses
Endosteal layer- not continuous w/ dura m. of the
spinal cord
- continuous w/ the periosteum
Meningeal layer- dense, strong membrane
- continuous w/ the dura m. of the spinal cord

foramina

Meninges of the Brain:

Dura Mater:
4 septa: restrict displacement
of brain
Falx cerebri
- bet. cerebral hem.
-tentorium cerebelli
-sup. & inf. sagittal
sinuses
-straight sinus
Tentorium cerebelli
-tentorial notch (midbrain)
- transverse sinus

Meninges of the Brain:

Falx cerebelli- bet. cerebellar hem.
- occipital sinus
Diaphragma sellae
- sella turcica
- hypophysis cerebri

Dura Mater:
Nerve Supply - branches of CN V, X & 1st 3 cervical
spinal nerves
- sensory endings (stretch)
Arterial Supply
-internal carotid aa.
-maxillary a. middle meningeal a.
-asc. pharyngeal a.
-occipital aa.
-vertebral aa.
Middle meningeal a.
- foramen spinosum
- bet. dural layers
- temporal to parietal bone
- anterior br.= pterion
- precentral gyrus
- veins pterygoid venous
plexus or sphenoparietal
sinus

Dura Mater
Venous Sinuses bet. the dural layers
- endothelium; no valves
- main function
= blood int. jugular vv.
= CSF
- emissary vv.

Dural Venous Sinuses:

1.) sup. sagittal sinus confluence of the sinuses occipital
sinus

(R) transverse sinus

communicates with venous lacunae
= arachnoid villi; diploic and meningeal vv.
superior cerebral vv.
Superior view

Dural Venous Sinuses:

2.) inf. sag. sinus + great cerebral v.= straight sinus
3.) straight sinus L transverse sinus

Superior view

Dural Venous Sinuses:

4.) L & R transverse sinus
begin: internal occipital protuberance
- fixed margin of tentorium cerebelli
- receive: superior petrosal sinuses
: inf. cerebral/cerebellar vv.
: diploic vv.
- ends: sigmoid sinus

Superior view

Dural Venous Sinuses:

5.) sigmoid sinus jugular foramen int. jugular vein
6.) occipital sinus begins: foramen magnum; attached margin of
falx cerebelli
- vertebral veins; confluence of sinuses

Dural Venous Sinuses:

7.) Cavernous sinus- middle cranial fossa; spongy appearance
- internal carotid a. and nerves; CNs 3-6
- tributaries: sup./inf. ophthalmic vv.
: sphenoparietal s.
: inf. cerebral vv.
Superior
view vein of the retina
: central
Coronal section

Dural Venous Sinuses:

Cavernous sinus
- drains to: sup./inf. petrosal sinuses transverse sinus and IJV
:pterygoid venous plexus
- intercavernous sinuses
Superior view

Dural Venous Sinuses:

Cavernous sinus- route of infection

Arachnoid Mater

Delicate and impermeable

Between dura and pia
mater
Subdural space
Subarachnoud space
Bet. arachnoid and pia
mater: delicate strands of
fibrous tissue
Bridge over the sulci
Subarachnoid cisternae
INTERPEDUNCULAR
CISTERN
PONTINE
CISTERN

CEREBELLOMEDULLARY
CISTERN

Arachnoid Mater

arachnoid villi/granulations
(Pacchionian gran.)
- superior sagittal sinus
- function
SA space- Cerebral aa. and vv;
- CN
fuses w/ epineurium

Arachnoid Mater
Optic Nerve

Fuses w/ the
sclera

Pia Mater

It is a vascular membrane.
Invests gyri and sulci
Fuses w/ epineurium of CN
Cerebral aa.- with sheath of pia mater
Tela choroidea

choroid plexus

Meninges of the Spinal Cord

3 layers:
Dura mater:
Foramen magnum S2, lower border
extradural space:
- loose areolar tissue
- internal vertebral venous plexus
Spinal nerve root- epineurium

Meninges of the Spinal Cord

3 layers:
Arachnoid mater
> SA space with CSF
> Foramen magnum S2, lower border
> Spinal nerve root SA space

Meninges of the Spinal Cord

Pia Mater:
>Ligamentum
denticulatum
- function
> Nerve roots

Denticulate ligament

Clinical Correlation:

Epidural hematoma

Subdural hematoma

- Meningeal aa. and vv.

- Superior cerebral veins

middle meningeal a.,

anterior division
- lens-shaped (bet. dural layers)
- spread is limited

-Crescent-shaped (bet. dura

and arachnoid amter)

Summary/Review: Meninges

Meninges:
Dura mater- middle meningeal a., anterior division
Arachnoid mater- arachnoid villi
- Subarachnoid space
Pia mater- choroid plexus
- ligamentum denticulatum

Competencies: The Meninges of

the Brain and Spinal Cord
> Name/describe the three meninges
> Define the terms pachymeninx and
leptomeninx
>Describe the dural reflections and the
formation of the:
1. falx cerebri
2. falx cerebelli
3. tentorium cerebelli
4. diaphragma sellae
> Identify the dural venous sinuses

Competencies: The Meninges of

the Brain and Spinal Cord
> Name the spaces associated with the
meninges and the contents of each
> Describe the anatomical basis of the bloodbrain barrier (BBB)
> Describe the mechanism of epidural and
subdural hematoma
> Describe the formation of the Pacchionian
(arachnoid) granulations and their role in the
absorption of CSF
> Define and locate the cisterns
> State the lowest possible level of termination
of the spinal cord

Ventricular
System:

Ventricular System:

Lateral ventricles terminal ventricle (central canal)

Ependyma, CSF

Lateral Ventricles:
2 cavities:
Cerebral hemispheres
C-shaped
4 parts
Body corpus callosum
- caudate nucleus &
thalamus
- septum pellucidum

Choroid plexuschoroidal fissure

3rd ventricle:

3rd ventricle- bet. 2 thalami

Choroid plexus- tela choroidea
Blood supply of choroid plexus (lateral & 3rd ventricles)choroidal br. of int. carotid & basilar aa.

Venous drainage:
int. cerebral vv.
great cerebral v.
straight sinus

Cerebral aqueduct of Sylvius & 4th ventricle

Cerebral aqueduct- in. long

4th ventricle
- pons & upper medulla
- cerebellum
- apertures (foramen)
importance
- choroid plexus (bld. supply):
post. inferior cerebellar aa.

Cerebrospinal Fluid:
Where is it found?
Physical Characteristics:
Appearance
clear, colorless
Vol.
130 ml
Rate of production
0.5ml/min.
Pressure (lateral
60-150 mmH20
May increase
recumbent)
Composition:
Protein
15-45 mg/100ml
Glucose
50-85 mg/100ml
Chloride
720-750 mg/100ml
No. of cells
0-3 lymphocytes/cu. mm.

Cerebrospinal Fluid:
Functions:
1.) Provides mechanical buoyancy & support for the
brain Cushions & protects the CNS from
trauma
2.) Serves as a reservoir and assists in the
regulation of the contents of the skull.
3.) Nourishes the CNS.
4.) Removes metabolites from the CNS.
5.) Serves as a pathway for pineal secretions to
reach the pituitary gland.

Cerebrospinal Fluid:
Formation:
1.) choroid plexuses- lateral, 3rd and 4th ventricles
2.) ependymal cells of ventricles
3.) brain substance
CHOROID PLEXUS (fold):

K
Ca
Mg
HCO3
glucose

CSF

Active
Transport

Circulation of the CSF:

choroid plexus
CSF
lateral vent.
Intervent. For.

3rd vent.
Cerebral Aq.

4th vent.
venous sinuses
apertures
arachnoid villi
subarachnoid space
cerebral hemispheres
subarachnoid cisterns
spinal cord

Aid in circulation:
Arterial pulsations (choroid plexus,
spinal aa.)
Cilia (ependymal cells)

Cerebrospinal Fluid: Absorption

Main site for absorption: arachnoid villi/
granulations
***Superior sagittal sinus
- Diverticulum
CSF pressure > venous sinus absorption
Venous sinus pressure > CSF compression of villi tips
- prevent reflux of blood into
subarachnoid space
- villi = valves

Blood-Brain (-Spinal Cord) Barrier (BBB):

X- pineal gland
post. pituitary
tuber cinereum
wall of optic recess
floor of 4th ventricle,
postrema
permeability - inversely
related to mol. size
- directly related
to lipid solubility

- gases, water

X glucose, electrolytes
- plasma proteins/
large organic molecules

Blood-Brain (-Spinal Cord) Barrier (BBB):

Not identical in all regions

Functional Significance of the BBB:

Semipermeable barrier PROTECT the brain and

spinal cord from harmful substances.
Permits entry of gases and nutrients.

Remember

Remember
Function of:
Choroid plexus
Arachnoid villi/granulations

Summary/
Review:
Ventricles
Circulation of the
CSF:

Competencies:
> Describe the anatomical basis of the
blood-brain barrier (BBB)
> Describe the formation of the Pacchionian
(arachnoid) granulations and their role in
the absorption of CSF

Competencies: The Ventricular

System
> Describe the ventricular system of the brain.
> Locate the sites of formation and absorption
of cerebrospinal fluid.
> Enumerate the areas where CSF is normally
found.
> Trace the flow of CSF from the area of
formation to the area of absorption.
> State the usual site where CSF is obtained.
> State the composition and functions of CSF.
> Differentiate the mechanism of formation of
the communicating and noncommunicating
types of hydrocephalus.

Thank you

References:
Clinical Neuroanatomy by Richard S. Snell, 6th ed.
Langmans Medical Embryology by T.W. Sadler, 9th ed.

Blood-CSF Barrier:
- water, gases, lipid sol.
X- proteins, hexoses
5 layers

Section of villus of choroid plexus