What Are Basal Cisterns?

Alexander Ross
Alexander Ross
• • 6 min read

The Subarachnoid Cisterns, or Basal Cisterns, Are Compartments Within the Subarachnoid Space Where the Pia Mater and Arachnoid Membrane Arachnoid Membrane the...

What Are Basal Cisterns?

The subarachnoid cisterns, or basal cisterns, are compartments within the subarachnoid space where the pia mater and arachnoid membrane

arachnoid membrane
The subarachnoid space is the interval between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater. It is occupied by delicate connective tissue trabeculae and intercommunicating channels containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as well as branches of the arteries and veins of the brain. The cavity is small in the normal brain.
are not in close approximation and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) forms pools or cisterns (Latin: "box").

Where are the basal cisterns?

The interpeduncular cistern (or basal cistern) is an unpaired CSF-filled subarachnoid cistern located between the cerebral peduncles. It is partially bounded by the leaves of the Liliequist membrane, one of the arachnoid membranes, which separate it from its direct cranial and caudal relations1.

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How many cisterns are there in the brain?

1 = Olfactory cistern; 2 = Callosal cistern; 3 = Chiasmatic cistern with I and II nerves; 4 = Carotid cistern; 5 = Sylvian cistern; 6 = Crural cistern; 7 = Interpeduncular cisterns with III nerves; 8 = Ambient cisterns with IV nerves; 9 = Prepontine cistern with VI nerves; 10 = Cerebellopontine cistern on each side ...

Alexander Ross

Alexander Ross

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Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.