Basic Neuroanatomy

Maryann Martone, Ph. D.

1/7/10

Organization of the Nervous System

•CNS (neural plate)

•Brain

•Spinal cord

•PNS (neural crest)

•Somatic

•Autonomic

•Sympathetic

•Parasympathetic

•Enteric

•Gut motility and secretion

“Gross anatomical convenience”-Swanson

Directions

MedialLateralLateral

Planes of Section

Coronal (frontal)HorizontalSagittal

Fig 2.8: Squire et al, Fundamental neuroscience, 2nd ed

Development of the Nervous System

Divisions of the Brain

Embryonic vesicles form the fundamental regional brain divisions in the adult

Alar vs Basal Plates

Sylvian Fissure

Gyri and sulci

Dividing up the brain

Gross anatomy:

•White matter vs gray matter

•Cortex vs Subcortical nuclei

•Nuclei vs Ganglia

Nissl vs Myelin Stain

Corpus Callosum

Callosum (L): hard, tough

Commissure vs decussation

More white matter terms

• White matter:

• Tract: common origin and destination

• Fasciculus, funiculus, peduncle or brachium: distinct collection of nerve fibers (may contain many tracts)

• Lemiscus: Ascending fibers in the brainstem

Brain is divided into “regional parts” based on:Gross appearance: e.g., gray matter vs white matterLandmarks, e.g., sulciHistologyCytoarchitectureChemoarchitectureProjection patternsFunctional considerations

Don’t all agree with one another!

MotorSomatosensory

FF PP

TTOO

Vision

Audition

General Functions Associated with each Lobe

Structure-function relationships

Features sometimes form useful landmarks to delineate different functional areas

The Ventricles

Cerebral ventricles

•Lateral ventricles•Interventricular foramen•Third ventricle•Cerebral aqueduct•Fourth ventricle

Ventricular system in mid-sagittal section

Useful guides for identification

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Ventricles are not mere landmarks however

CSF

•125 ml in adult human

•500 ml/24 hr period

•Produced by choroid plexus, principally in the lateral ventricles

•Forms “water cushion” for brain

•Bathes neural tissue, extending into perivascular spaces

Hydrocephalus

Flow of CSF

Meninges

Leptomeninges =

Arachnoid + pia mater

Pachymeninges=dura mater

• http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neuroroot.html

– Greek and Latin roots of neuroscience (especially neuroanatomy) words

Sinuses

Cerebral Blood Supply