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The figures in this diagram illustrate some situations related to Monro-Kellie hypothesis. The proportions are not equivalent to real for teaching purposes.
- The skull and its contents.
- The cranial volume is fixed and the brain tissue, blood and CSF are contained in it.
- Liquid effacement and possible reduced blood volume at brain edema or expansive lesion.
- Reduced blood volume with CSF hypertension.
- Venous engorgement at CSF hypotension.
Case Discussion
According to the Monro-Kellie hypothesis, whereas the cranial volume is fixed and the brain tissue, blood and CSF are contained in it, there is an equilibrium between the intracranial constituents. Thus decrease in one should be compensated by the increase in others and vice-a-versa.