Neuroanatomical Terms Flashcards
Medial-lateral
Medial = towards the median plane
Lateral = away from the medial plane
Anterior-posterior (above the midbrain)
Anterior = toward the front of the brain
Posterior = toward the back of the brain
Anterior-Posterior (at and below the midbrain)
Anterior = towards the ventral surface of the body
Posterior = towards the dorsal surface of the body
Rostral-caudal (above the midbrain)
Rostrum = towards the front of the brain
Caudal = toward the back of the brain
Rostral-Caudal (at and below the midbrain)
Rostral = towards the cerebral cortex
Caudal = toward the sacral end / bottom of the spinal cord
Dorsal-ventral (above to the midbrain)
Dorsal = top of brain
Ventral = bottom of brain
Dorsal-ventral (at level of and caudal the midbrain)
Dorsal = towards the posterior surface of the body
Ventral = anterior surface of the body
Superior-inferior
Superior = toward the top of the cerebral cortex
Inferior = toward the bottom of the spinal cord
Ipsilateral
Same side with reference to a specific point
Contralateral
On the opposite side
Commisure
Group of nerve fibres connecting one side of the brain to the other
Decussation
Crossing over of nerve fibres
Neuron
Anatomical and functional unit of the nervous system, which consists of a cell body, dendrites and an axon
Glial Cells
Nonneural cells which form the interstitial tissue of the nervous system
5 types of glial cells
Astro yes
Oligodendrocytes
Microfilm
Ependymal cells
Nucleus
Group of neurones located in a specific region of the brain or spinal cord (within the CNS) that generally have a similar appearance, receive information from similar sources, project their axons to similar targets and share similar functions
Tract / fasciculus
Many sons grouped together which typically pass from a given nucleus to a common target region or several regions. Similar to nerves but run entries within the CNS
Ganglion
Similar to nuclei - group of neuronal cell bodies
Found OUTSIDE the CNS as a discrete swelling
Afferent fibres
Axons that carry impulses towards the CNS or higher centres. Usually sensory or ascending fibres
Efferent fibres
Axons which carry impulses away from the CNS/higher centres. Usually motor or descending fibres
Sulcus/sulci
Depressions/grooves between the ridges of the cerebral hemispheres
Gyrus/gyri
Folds or ridges that can be seen in the folding appearance of the cerebral hemispheres
