1. Identify the anterior, middle, and posterior cranial fossae. What are the pertinent foramina/fossae/canals in each, and what do they transmit?

2. What are the major parts of the brain?

3. What are the three types of cranial meninges? What is the difference between cranial and spinal dura mater? Where are dural infoldings/partitions located?

4. What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)? What is CSF’s functions, and where is it located? Describe the ventricular system.

5. Map out the dural venous sinuses. Where do the majority of the sinuses eventually drain?

6. What are the two main arteries supplying the brain? What is the clinical importance of the cerebral arterial circle (circle of Willis)? What arteries make up the arterial circle?

7. Understand the basics of the cranial nerves. Name, number, sensory (afferent)/ motor (efferent)/both, and what general structures do they innervate?

8. Understand the difference between epidural (extradural), subdural (dural border), and subarachnoid hemorrhage/hematoma. What is a brain infarction?

Recommended readings

Moore et al. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 7th edition. pgs. 865-888