Regions of the subarachnoid space containing more substantial amounts of fluid are called subarachnoid cisterns . Important cisterns include:

	Cistern	Location
	Cerebellomedullary cistern (cisterna magna)	Found between the medulla and the cerebellum
	Pontine cistern	On the basal part of the pons, containing the basillar artery
	Interpeduncular cistern	In the interpeduncular fossa region
	Chiasmatic cistern	Over the optic chiasma
	Cisterna ambiens	Sorrounding the posterior, superior and lateral surfaces of the midbrain. This cistern contains the great vein of Galen and the posterior cerebral and superior cerebellar arteries
	Cistern of the lamina terminalis	A continuation of chiasmatic cistern, which continues into the corpus callosum.
	Cistern of the corpus callosum	Above the anterior commissure
	The cistern of the lateral fissure	Corresponding with the Sylvian fissure