ATLS Written Review
2024/2025
What is the primary goal of treating TBI? How is this done? - ANSWER
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? - ANSWER 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: - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER dura mater, arachnoid
mater, pia mater
What does the dura mater adhere firmly to? - ANSWER the skull. it is
tough and fibrous
,What layer of the meninges splits into two leaves as specific sites to enclose large
venous sinuses? What do these sinuses do? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER
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)? - ANSWER meningeal arteries.
, What is the most commonly injured meningeal artery and where is it located? -
ANSWER middle meningeal artery.
Located over the temporal fossa
T/F: the arachnoid mater is fused to the dura mater? - ANSWER FALSE:
not attached. This produces a potential space for a subdural hematoma
In a subdural hematoma, what is the cause? - ANSWER injury to bridging
veins that extend from brain surface to the sinuses within the dura.
_______ fills the space between the arachnoid and pia mater? - ANSWER
CSF. this cushions the brain and spinal cord.
2024/2025
What is the primary goal of treating TBI? How is this done? - ANSWER
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? - ANSWER 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: - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER dura mater, arachnoid
mater, pia mater
What does the dura mater adhere firmly to? - ANSWER the skull. it is
tough and fibrous
,What layer of the meninges splits into two leaves as specific sites to enclose large
venous sinuses? What do these sinuses do? - ANSWER 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? - ANSWER
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)? - ANSWER meningeal arteries.
, What is the most commonly injured meningeal artery and where is it located? -
ANSWER middle meningeal artery.
Located over the temporal fossa
T/F: the arachnoid mater is fused to the dura mater? - ANSWER FALSE:
not attached. This produces a potential space for a subdural hematoma
In a subdural hematoma, what is the cause? - ANSWER injury to bridging
veins that extend from brain surface to the sinuses within the dura.
_______ fills the space between the arachnoid and pia mater? - ANSWER
CSF. this cushions the brain and spinal cord.
