cisterna magna

anatomy

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

Quick Summary

The cisterna magna is a space within the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Specifically, it is one of the ventricles of the brain, filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This fluid serves to cushion the brain and spinal cord against shock, maintain constant pressure within the cranium, and transport waste products away from the central nervous system. The meninges, consisting of the pia mater, arachnoid, and dura mater, along with the CSF, are crucial for protecting the central nervous system.12

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human nervous system
Medulla oblongata
…cerebral aqueduct passes into the cisterna magna, a subarachnoid space surrounding the medulla and the cerebellum, via openings in the lateral recesses in the midline of the ventricle.
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…cerebral aqueduct passes into the cisterna magna, a subarachnoid space surrounding the medulla and the cerebellum, via openings in the lateral recesses in the midline of the ventricle.
Read More