A compendium of the anatomy of the human body: intended principally for the use of students (Volume 2).

  • Andrew Fyfe
Date:
1802
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A compendium of the anatomy of the human body: intended principally for the use of students (Volume 2). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

    16/286
    The texture of the Dura Mater is very denfe. It is the thickeft and ftrongeit Membrane of the Body, and is compofed of Tendinous like Fibres, which have a (hilling appearance, particularly in its inner Surface. In many parts tl run in a variety cf directions, and dec u Hate each other a. d ffer- ent angles. The Dura Mater adheres every where to the Sui face of the Cranium, in the fame manner as the Periofteum adheres to the Bones in the other parts of the Body; but i necled at the Sutures and Faramina than dfewhere ; ai much more firm!) in Children than in Adu] it from the Cranium, it is npt to biing along Fibres of the Bone to which it is attached.—In i. the k- paration of the Bone from the Membrane is lefs in con- fequence of many of the Fibres being oblitei The inner Surface of the Dura Mater, whic imooth, is in clofe contact with the Brain, but a,: the Veins go into the Sinufes,—and is lubricated by a Fluid dis- charged through its VefTtls, which guards the Brain from dan- ger, according as it may be affected by the different ftates of Refpiration. The Dura Mater ferves as a defence to the Brain, and fup- plies the place of a Periojleum to the infide of the Bones of the Cranium, giving nourifhment to them,—as is evident from the numerous drops of Blood which appear after removing the Skull-cap. From the inner fide of the Dura Mater, ProceJJ'es are fent off, which divide the Brain into certain parts,, and ferve to keep it fteady, viz,. I. The Falx, Superior Longitudinal Procefs, or Septum Cere- bri, which is formed by a doubling of the Dura Mater, and is fituated between the Hemifpheres of the Brain. It begins at the middle of the Sphenoid, and Crifta Galli of the Ethmoid Bone, and runs along the upper and middle part of the Head, adhering firlt to the Frontal, then to the joining cf the Parietal, and afterwards to the middle of the Occipital B In its paflage it becomes gradually broader, extends from the Cranium to near the Corpus Calloium, and terminates behind in the middle of the Tentorium. It luns from behind forwards in a ftraight direction, and has fomerefeinblmce in fliape to a Sickle or Scythe, from which cir- cumftance it has obtained the name of Fa/x. Between the under edge of the Falx and Bafe of the Cranium, there is a large fpace, of an oval form, occupied by that putt of the Brain which is common to the two Hemifpheres. The Falx fupports the Tentorium, and prevents the two fides of the Brain from preffing upon each other.