TENTORIAL ANGLE Meaning and
Definition
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The tentorial angle is a term used in neuroanatomy and radiology to refer to the angle formed between the tentorium cerebelli and the floor of the cranium. The tentorium cerebelli is a supportive structure in the brain that separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum. It is a crescent-shaped, curved sheet of dura mater that lies horizontally within the cranial cavity.
The tentorial angle is an important anatomical landmark in the assessment of brain imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is a measurement made to determine the extent of brain herniation, or abnormal protrusion of brain tissue, that may occur due to increased intracranial pressure.
A narrow tentorial angle suggests a smaller space for brain herniation, potentially indicating an increased risk for complications. On the other hand, a wider tentorial angle implies a larger potential space for herniation, which may indicate better tolerance to increased intracranial pressure.
Knowledge of the tentorial angle is particularly relevant in the diagnosis and management of conditions like traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, hydrocephalus, or other intracranial pathologies. It aids in determining the severity of brain displacement and can contribute crucial information for clinicians and neurosurgeons when deciding on appropriate treatment strategies.
Overall, the tentorial angle provides valuable anatomical insight into the dynamics of brain herniation and plays a significant role in the evaluation of intracranial pathologies.
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The angle formed by the basicranial axis and the plane of the tentorium.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for TENTORIAL ANGLE
- rentorial angle
- fentorial angle
- gentorial angle
- yentorial angle
- 6entorial angle
- 5entorial angle
- twntorial angle
- tsntorial angle
- tdntorial angle
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- t4ntorial angle
- t3ntorial angle
- tebtorial angle
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- tejtorial angle
- tehtorial angle
- tenrorial angle
- tenforial angle
- tengorial angle
- tenyorial angle
Etymology of TENTORIAL ANGLE
The word "tentorial" is derived from the Latin word "tentorium", which means "tent". The term "tentorium" refers to a fold of dura mater (the tough outermost membrane surrounding the brain) that separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum within the cranial cavity. This fold has a tent-like shape, hence the name "tentorium".
The word "angle" comes from the Latin word "angulus", meaning "corner" or "angle". In medical terminology, "angle" is often used to describe the point at which two structures meet or intersect.
Therefore, the term "tentorial angle" refers to the angle formed by the meeting of the tentorium and another structure within the cranial cavity.
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