Latin Anatomical Terms of the Brain

Historical roots of terminology

Many fundamental anatomical names have come down to us from antiquity. For example, the physician Herophilus is credited with coining terms such as "systole," "diastole," and "prostate." He was also the first to describe the duodenum (kolon dodekadaktylon), which was later transformed in "barbaric Latin" into our familiar duodenum.

Herophilus also named the meninges, which formed the basis of modern clinical diagnoses:

• Meninx pacheia — dura mater. This root gives rise to the term pachymeningitis (inflammation of the dura mater).
• Meninx lepte — pia mater. This gave rise to the term leptomeningitis (inflammation of the pia mater).

Arachnoid mater and its spaces

The arachnoid mater of the brain (Arachnoidea encephali) is separated from the dura mater by a capillary cleft called the subdural space. An important anatomical feature of the arachnoid mater is that it does not extend into the depth of the cerebral sulci. Unlike the pia mater (pia mater), it bridges across the depressions like little bridges.

Between the arachnoid and pia mater lies the subarachnoid space (Cavitas subarachnoidealis). It is filled with clear cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebral blood vessels run through this space. To prevent them from being compressed, they are protected by the surrounding fluid and connective tissue trabeculae — trabeculae arachnoideales.

Cerebral cisterns

In certain areas, predominantly at the base of the brain, the subarachnoid space widens, forming deep fluid reservoirs — cisterns.

The subarachnoid spaces communicate widely with each other. Near the foramen magnum, they pass directly into the corresponding space of the spinal cord. In addition, there is a direct communication with the brain ventricles through apertures in the posterior wall of the fourth ventricle: the median aperture (Apertura mediana ventriculi quarti) and the lateral aperture (Apertura lateralis ventriculi IV).

Arachnoid granulations

For the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid into the bloodstream, there are arachnoid granulations (Granulationes arachnoideales). These are small, round, grayish-pink outgrowths that project into the cavities of venous sinuses or adjacent blood lakes. The outflow process occurs via filtration.

Granulations are present at any age, but in old age they become largest and most numerous. As they grow, they leave characteristic depressions on the inner surface of the cranial bones — foveolae granulares.

Clinical terms and diagnoses

Knowledge of anatomical structures makes it easy to decode clinical diagnoses. Terms are formed by combining Greek and Latin term elements (TE):

• Meningoencephalitis (meningoencephalitis): mening- (meninges) + encephal- (brain) + -itis (inflammation).
• Amnesia (amnesia): a- (absence) + -mnesia (memory) — memory loss.
• Dysphagia (dysphagia): dys- (disorder) + phag- (swallowing) — swallowing disorder.

In clinical practice, diagnoses are often formulated entirely in Latin. For example, atherosclerosis of cerebral arteries is termed Atherosclerosis arteriarum cerebralium (or arteriarum cerebri), and chronic posthemorrhagic anemia is translated as Anaemia posthaemorrhagica chronica.

Class and exam questions

What else to study on this topic

• Principles of forming clinical terms using Greek term elements
• Latin names of blood vessel and blood pathologies (endarteritis, thrombocytosis)
• Terminology of surgical interventions (laparotomy, anastomosis)
• Names of disorders of the body's physiological functions (dysuria, dysphagia)
• Benign and malignant tumors in Latin nomenclature (hemangioma, sarcomatosis)

Other topics in the "Additional Topics" section

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