Neuroanatomy practical

Question 1

midsaggittal plane

Answer 1

divides the brain into equal left and right halves. sections parallel to the midsagittal plane are in the sagittal plane.

Question 2

horizontal plane

Answer 2

perpendicular to the midsaggital and coronal plane. parallel to the ground. a single section in this plane could pass through both the eyes and the ears. divides the brain into dorsal and ventral segments.

Question 3

coronal plane

Answer 3

perpendicular to midsaggital plane and horizontal plane. a single section in the plane could pass either through both eyes, or both ears. splits the brain into anterior and posterior parts

Question 4

what is the forebrain consist of?

Answer 4

cerebral cortex, embedded nuclear groups in the white matter of the cortex, such as caudate and lentiform nuclei, thalamus and hypothalamus.

Question 5

midbrain ?

Answer 5

tectum and tegmentum. look for cerebral aqueduct which CSF-filled and is connected rostrally with the third ventricle of the diencephalon, and caudally with the forth ventricle of the hindbrain.

Question 6

hind brain ?

Answer 6

rostral hindbrain - cerebellum and pons.
caudal hindbrain - medulla and medullary pyramids.
at core of hindbrain lies the fourth ventricle contents rostrally with the aqueduct

Question 7

what is brainstem composed of ?

Answer 7

(thalamus and hypothalamus, diencaphalon) midbrain, pons, medulla.

Question 8

describe the dura matter

Answer 8

touch inelastic collagenous membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

Question 9

arachnoid matter

Answer 9

has the appearance and consistency of a spider web. flattened cells form a continous outer membrane. This membrane prevents the free flow of ions and molecules into or out of the subarachnoid space. This space is bridged by cellular trabeculae passing between the outer cellular layers of the arachnoid and the pia.

Question 10

what is the space between the dura matter and arachnoid matter called ?

Answer 10

subdural space.

Question 11

what is the space between the pia matter and the arachnoid matter ?

Answer 11

subarachnoid space.

Question 12

pia matter

Answer 12

inner most layer, formed of a thin, delicate membrane that adheres closely to the surface of the brain. It follows every indentation and fissure of the surface of the brain.

Question 13

describe the medulla

Answer 13

caudal to the cerebellum and pons. is continuous with the spinal cord through a hole in the base of the skull called the foramen magnum

Question 14

what is the name of the groove that lies along the mid-ventral line of the medulla

Answer 14

the median longitudinal fissure

Question 15

On either side of the median longitudinal fissure are slightly elevated ridges known as

Answer 15

the pyramids

Question 16

how is the medulla continuous with the spinal cord ?

Answer 16

through a hole in the base of the skull called the foramen magnum

Question 17

what does the inferior cerebellar peduncles convey?

Answer 17

inferior cerebellar peduncles convey a variety of afferent fibre systems to the cerebellum, including those from the spinal cord and from the inferior olivary nuclei and a small number of efferent fibres from the cerebellum concerned with the mechanisms for maintaining balance and posture

Question 18

middle cerebellar peduncles

Answer 18

links the cerebellum with the pons

Question 19

superior cerebellar peduncles

Answer 19

connects the cerebellum with the midbrain

Question 20

what is the dorsal surface of the medulla obscured by ?

Answer 20

the cerebellum

Question 21

describe the gracile nuclei

Answer 21

gracile nucleus is one of the dorsal column nuclei that participate in the sensation of fine touch and proprioception

Question 22

where do axons from the gracile and cuneate nuclei project to

Answer 22

the axons of the dorsal column nuclei ascend within a white matter tract called the medial lemniscus. the medial lemniscus rises the medulla, pons and midbrain and its axons synapse upon neurons of the ventral posterior (VP) nucleus of the thalamus.

Question 23

where do the axons or the dorsal column pathway decussate

Answer 23

the axons decussate (sensory decussation) at the ventral and medial medulla crossing the midline just rostral to the pyramidal decussation of the lateral corticospinal tract

Question 24

what makes up the floor of the fourth ventricle

Answer 24

the dorsal surface of the pons and most of the medulla

Question 25

where does the roof of the cavity of the fourth ventricle rise up to ?

Answer 25

core of the white matter in the cerebellum