supratentorial compartment
Pronunciation: SOO-prah-ten-TORE-ee-al
The portion of the intracranial space above the tentorium cerebelli, containing the cerebral hemispheres.
Full Definition
The supratentorial compartment is the intracranial space located above the tentorium cerebelli, a dural fold that separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum. This compartment contains the cerebral hemispheres, diencephalon, and associated structures. Supratentorial lesions include cortical and subcortical tumors, and surgical approaches to this region differ significantly from infratentorial procedures. Understanding this anatomical division is crucial for surgical planning, as different complications and considerations apply to supratentorial versus infratentorial pathology.
Usage
Usage note: Always distinguish from infratentorial when describing lesion location; affects surgical approach selection.
In Context
- "The glioblastoma was located in the supratentorial compartment involving the right frontal lobe." — Radiology report
- "Supratentorial tumors typically present with seizures or focal neurological deficits." — Clinical assessment