Abstract
The neural structures of the posterior cranial fossa include the brainstem and cerebellum, which are connected by the cerebellar peduncles. Together, they form the fourth ventricle. Three deep cerebellar–brainstem fissures exist beneath the three cerebellar surfaces [14, 15]. These structures can be visualized by magnetic resonance imaging [7, 8, 11]. To understand the neural structures of the posterior cranial fossa, neurosurgeons must first study the structures that must be navigated to reach the fourth ventricle. In this chapter, an explanation of the basic anatomy of the fourth ventricle will be followed by a description of the cerebellar surfaces. The relationship between the cerebellar surfaces and fourth ventricle will then be elucidated to demonstrate the surgical approaches to the fourth ventricle. Because the floor of the fourth ventricle is a challenging area for neurosurgeons, its surgical anatomy will be explained in detail. The anatomy of the three cerebellar peduncles in relation to surgical approaches to intrinsic lesions of the brainstem will also be introduced.
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References
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Matsushima, T. (2015). Neural Structures: The Brainstem, Cerebellum, Cerebellar Peduncles, and Fourth Ventricle. In: Microsurgical Anatomy and Surgery of the Posterior Cranial Fossa. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54183-7_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54183-7_2
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