Types of Encephalocele by Location
Supratentorial
Supratentorial means located above the tentorium, the membrane separating the cerebrum from the cerebellum.
In short: Supratentorial
- It describes the upper compartment of the brain.
- It helps specify which part of the brain a lesion involves.
- It contrasts with "infratentorial."
- The tentorium is a fold of the dura mater.
What it is
It is a location term for the region above the tentorium — the upper compartment of the skull, containing the cerebrum. It is used to describe where a lesion or finding sits relative to this dividing membrane.
Understanding Supratentorial
Describing an encephalocele or associated finding as supratentorial or infratentorial helps the team communicate precisely about which brain structures are involved. The tentorium is a tent-like fold of dura that separates the cerebrum (above) from the cerebellum (below), so "supratentorial" points to the cerebral compartment. This precision matters when planning surgery and interpreting imaging.
Why it matters
Understanding this term helps families read imaging reports and follow the team's descriptions of exactly where a finding is located, which in turn clarifies what structures might be involved.
Common questions
What is the tentorium?
The membrane between the cerebrum and cerebellum.
Why use this term?
For precise location relative to the tentorium.
What is the opposite?
Infratentorial — below the tentorium.
Bottom line
Supratentorial means above the tentorium, in the upper compartment of the brain.
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