I. Gross Anatomy



 Also be sure to know the definitions of terms that are underlined in the text and pay special attention to the information in red text.  Illustrations are from Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain by MF Bear, BW Connors and MA Paradiso, 3rd Ed

A. Surface of Brain.

1. There are certain features of the brain that are distinguishable without cutting or "sectioning" the tissue. 

Here are illustrations showing the cerebrum and portions of the brain stem (under the cerebellum) 

Note the four major brain regions of the cortex in the lower left figure.

2.  

The use of directional terms are very specific in anaotmy and include terms such as, anterior, posterior, superior inferiror, rostral and caudal.



Dorsal, ventral, sagital and midsagital or medial views are shown here.




3. Planes of section refer to the three-dimensional strucutre of the brain described in two dimensional slices or sections: horizontal, coronoal and sagital




B. Midsagital Section

1. Exposing the brain upon autopsy and creating a mid-sagital cut through the longitudinal fissure reveals all five of the major brain divisions:

A- Telencephalon  B- Diencephalon  C- Mesencephalon (Midbrain)  D. Metencephalon  E. Mylencephalon (Medulla)


Major Brain Structures 2
The Telencephalon includes five major brain divisions that have been conserved since fetal development

2. Each of the five major brain divisions contain important structures.


  Use the illustration above to help you designate the named structures shown here to their corresponding brain division. (Be careful the images are the mirror images of each other)


C. Surface of Brain wthout cerebrum (or telencephalon)

1. The ventral side of brain contains the cranial nerves.

 There are 12 cranial nerves that are designated with roman numerals (that I added).  Nerves are simply collections of axons from the neurons Axons provide signal transmission. In the brain the collection of transmitting pathways are called usually tracts and the body they are called nerves.  This is one way that the Central Nervous System (CNS) is distinguished from the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). Cranial nerves can be seen here in more detail





2.  View of the Brain Stem



Top illustration is dorsal side of brain stem with cerebellum removed.



Bottom illustration is dorsal side of teh brain stem with cerebellum removed.

D. Spinal Column

1. The spinal column is contiguous with the mylencephalon andis protected by the vertebrae of the spine.





2.  Cross section of the spinal cord


Please be familiar with the following structure and their primary function.

Mylencephalon  
    Reticular Formation, PyramidsMetencephalon     Pons, CerebellumMesencephalon      Inferior & Superior Colliculi    Red Nuclei, Periaqueductal Grey, Substantia Nigra    (Tectum and Tegmentum) Diencephalon    Thalamus         Lateral Geniculate Nucleus; Medial Geniculate Nucleus; Ventral Posterior Nucleus     Hypothalamus         Suprachiasmatic nucleus (Ventral medial nucleus)     Pituitary GlandTelencephalon      Four Brain Lobes  and insula      Longitudinal Fissure, Central Sulcus, Precentral gyrus, Post-central gyrus, lateral fissure      superior temporal gyrus




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