2025/2026 UPDATE
ATLS 10th Written Review
Questions And Answers
(PASSING 100% GUARANTEED)
What is the primary goal of treating TBI? How is this done? -
ANS>>preventing secondary brain injury. This is done by maintaining
blood pressure and providing adequate profusion.
After managing ABCDEs of TBI what MUST be identified if present?
How is this done? - ANS>>mass lesion that requires surgical
evacuation is critical! this is done with CT. NOTE: obtaining a CT
should not delay patient transfer to trauma center.
Which brain lobes do the following hold:
1. anterior fossa:
2. middle fossa:
3. posterior fossa: - ANS>>1. anterior fossa: frontal lobes
2. middle fossa: temporal lobes
3. posterior fossa: lower brainstem and cerebellum
What are the 3 layers of the meninges? - ANS>>dura mater, arachnoid
mater, pia mater
What does the dura mater adhere firmly to? - ANS>>the skull. it is
,What layer of the meninges splits into two leaves as specific sites to
enclose large venous sinuses? What do these sinuses do? -
ANS>>dura mater.
these sinuses provide major venous drainage from the brain.
What is the midline sinus of of the brain that splits into two sinuses:
bilateral transverse and sigmoid sinus? What side are these bigger
on? - ANS>>The main sinus enclosed by the dura major is the midline
superior sagital sinus. This splits into the sigmoid and bilateral
transverse sinuses which are larger on the right side.
What are the arteries that lie between the skull and the dura mater
(epidural space)? - ANS>>meningeal arteries.
What is the most commonly injured meningeal artery and where is it
located? - ANS>>middle meningeal artery.
Located over the temporal fossa
T/F: the arachnoid mater is fused to the dura mater? - ANS>>FALSE:
not attached. This produces a potential space for a subdural
hematoma
In a subdural hematoma, what is the cause? - ANS>>injury to
bridging veins that extend from brain surface to the sinuses within
the dura.
_______ fills the space between the arachnoid and pia mater? -
ANS>>CSF. this cushions the brain and spinal cord.
What location of brain hemorrhage is frequently seen in brain
contusion or injury to major blood vessels at base of brain? -
ANS>>subarachnoid.
, What important function resides in the medulla? -
ANS>>cardiorespiratory centers.
What important functions are in the following brain segments:
1. left hemisphere:
2. frontal lobe:
3. parietal lobe:
4. temporal: - ANS>>1. left hemisphere: language center
2. frontal lobe: executive function, emotions, motor
3. parietal lobe: sensory function/spatial orientation
4. temporal: memory functions
What divides the brain into supratentorial and infratentorial
compartments? - ANS>>tentorium cerebelli. (tent over cerebellum)
What is the physiology behind a blown pupil? - ANS>>blown pupil:
dilation of pupil
-CN III runs along the tentorium cerebelli. parasympathetic fibers that
constrict the pupil run along CN III (oculomotor). When temporal lobe
is herniated, it can compress these fibers. Unapposed sympathetic
activity causes pupillary dilation.
What is the tentorial notch/hiatus - ANS>>this is where the midbrain
passes through into the infratentorial compartment.
what part of the brain most commonly herniates through the tentorial
notch? - ANS>>Uncus (medial part of temporal lobe)
does weakness occur on the same or opposite side of the uncal
herniation? - ANS>>OPPOSITE. the corticospinal tract of the midbrain
is compressed and then crosses at the foramen magnum.
ATLS 10th Written Review
Questions And Answers
(PASSING 100% GUARANTEED)
What is the primary goal of treating TBI? How is this done? -
ANS>>preventing secondary brain injury. This is done by maintaining
blood pressure and providing adequate profusion.
After managing ABCDEs of TBI what MUST be identified if present?
How is this done? - ANS>>mass lesion that requires surgical
evacuation is critical! this is done with CT. NOTE: obtaining a CT
should not delay patient transfer to trauma center.
Which brain lobes do the following hold:
1. anterior fossa:
2. middle fossa:
3. posterior fossa: - ANS>>1. anterior fossa: frontal lobes
2. middle fossa: temporal lobes
3. posterior fossa: lower brainstem and cerebellum
What are the 3 layers of the meninges? - ANS>>dura mater, arachnoid
mater, pia mater
What does the dura mater adhere firmly to? - ANS>>the skull. it is
,What layer of the meninges splits into two leaves as specific sites to
enclose large venous sinuses? What do these sinuses do? -
ANS>>dura mater.
these sinuses provide major venous drainage from the brain.
What is the midline sinus of of the brain that splits into two sinuses:
bilateral transverse and sigmoid sinus? What side are these bigger
on? - ANS>>The main sinus enclosed by the dura major is the midline
superior sagital sinus. This splits into the sigmoid and bilateral
transverse sinuses which are larger on the right side.
What are the arteries that lie between the skull and the dura mater
(epidural space)? - ANS>>meningeal arteries.
What is the most commonly injured meningeal artery and where is it
located? - ANS>>middle meningeal artery.
Located over the temporal fossa
T/F: the arachnoid mater is fused to the dura mater? - ANS>>FALSE:
not attached. This produces a potential space for a subdural
hematoma
In a subdural hematoma, what is the cause? - ANS>>injury to
bridging veins that extend from brain surface to the sinuses within
the dura.
_______ fills the space between the arachnoid and pia mater? -
ANS>>CSF. this cushions the brain and spinal cord.
What location of brain hemorrhage is frequently seen in brain
contusion or injury to major blood vessels at base of brain? -
ANS>>subarachnoid.
, What important function resides in the medulla? -
ANS>>cardiorespiratory centers.
What important functions are in the following brain segments:
1. left hemisphere:
2. frontal lobe:
3. parietal lobe:
4. temporal: - ANS>>1. left hemisphere: language center
2. frontal lobe: executive function, emotions, motor
3. parietal lobe: sensory function/spatial orientation
4. temporal: memory functions
What divides the brain into supratentorial and infratentorial
compartments? - ANS>>tentorium cerebelli. (tent over cerebellum)
What is the physiology behind a blown pupil? - ANS>>blown pupil:
dilation of pupil
-CN III runs along the tentorium cerebelli. parasympathetic fibers that
constrict the pupil run along CN III (oculomotor). When temporal lobe
is herniated, it can compress these fibers. Unapposed sympathetic
activity causes pupillary dilation.
What is the tentorial notch/hiatus - ANS>>this is where the midbrain
passes through into the infratentorial compartment.
what part of the brain most commonly herniates through the tentorial
notch? - ANS>>Uncus (medial part of temporal lobe)
does weakness occur on the same or opposite side of the uncal
herniation? - ANS>>OPPOSITE. the corticospinal tract of the midbrain
is compressed and then crosses at the foramen magnum.
