Falx cerebelli

Falx Cerebelli

The Falx Cerebelli is a small, sickle-shaped fold of dura mater, the outermost layer of the meninges that envelop the brain and spinal cord. It is located in the posterior cranial fossa, the depression in the base of the skull, and extends into the cerebellar fissure, separating the two cerebellar hemispheres.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The Falx Cerebelli is a vertical extension of the dura mater that projects into the posterior part of the cerebral fissure. It is attached at its base to the tentorium cerebelli, another dural fold that separates the cerebellum from the cerebrum. The Falx Cerebelli is smaller and less pronounced than the Falx Cerebri, which separates the two cerebral hemispheres.

Function[edit | edit source]

The primary function of the Falx Cerebelli, like other dural folds, is to provide support and protection for the brain. By creating a physical barrier between the cerebellar hemispheres, it helps to prevent the transmission of mechanical impacts and reduces the risk of brain injury.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

While the Falx Cerebelli is not commonly associated with specific medical conditions, abnormalities or lesions in this area can be indicative of certain pathologies. For example, a meningioma, a type of benign brain tumor, can sometimes develop in the Falx Cerebelli. Additionally, changes in the size or shape of the Falx Cerebelli can be detected through neuroimaging techniques such as MRI or CT scan, and may be used to diagnose conditions such as hydrocephalus or brain edema.