Gross Anatomy of the CNS S.J. Potashner [email protected].

Gross Anatomy of the CNS

S.J. [email protected]

The nervous system has distinct areas that are specialized for different (sub)functions.

The distinct functional areas have different locations inside the nervous system, and they interact by signaling to one another along networks of cells.

These components are organized into sub-systems (usually called ‘systems’) each of which performs specific functions.

Many of these ‘systems’ span the length of the nervous system.

GOALS

Learn some language of gross anatomy

Learn the major subdivisions of the nervous system

Recognize the cardinal features of each subdivision

Learn the entry/exit points of the peripheral nerves

Anatomic Taxonomy

FrontalCoronal

MedianSagittal

HorizontalAxial

Terms of Direction

MedialLateralIpsilateralContralateral

Anterior, RostralPosterior, CaudalVentralDorsal

Superior, Rostral, CranialInferior, Caudal

Anatomical Planes

Dorsal

Ventral

Rostral

Caudal

RostralCaudal

Superior

Inferior

Caudal

DorsalVentral

Terms ofDirection

Spinal cord

Cerebrum

Human CNS Subdivisions

Cerebrum

Spinal cord

Cerebellum

MedullaPons

Midbrain

Thalamus

Rat CNS Subdivisions

Cerebrum

Surface Features: Lateral Cerebrum

Caudal

Longitudinal fissure

Rostral

Lateral fissure

Central sulcus

Preoccipital notch

Frontal

lobe

Temporal

lobe

Occipital

lobe

Parietal

lobe

Rostral

Caudal

Surface Features: Medial Cerebrum

Central sulcus

RostralCaudal

Parieto-occipitalsulcus

Cingulate sulcus

Frontal

lobeParietallobe

Occipital

lobe

Temporallobe

Caudal

Rostral

Surface Features: Thalamus

Dorsal thalamus

Hypothalamicsulcus

Hypothalamus

Optic nerve

Surface Features: Midbrain

Aqueduct

Oculomotor nerve

Cerebral peduncle

Superior colliculus

Inferior colliculus

Surface Features: Pons

Pontine protuberance

Cerebellum

Surface Features: Medulla

Surface Features: Ventral Brain Stem

Med

Pons

MiTh

Cerebellum

Frontallobe

Temporallobe

Lateral fissure

Olfactory bulb

Olfactory tract

Spinal levels

Vertebrallevels

Spinal Cord

Surface Features: Spinal Cord