ANATOMY

OF THE
HUMAN BRAIN
A Power-Point Tutorial on the Topography of the Human Brain

John A. Beal, Ph. D.

Professor
Department of Cellular
Biology & Anatomy
LSUHSC-S
1
 CONTENTS: SLIDE #

• TERMS & DEFINITIONS………………………….3-4

• MENINGES…………………………………………5-8

• DIVISIONS OF BRAIN…………………………..9-15

• CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES…………………..16-31

• VENTRICLES…………………………………… 32-38

• THALAMUS……………………………………… 39-44

• BRAINSTEM………………………………………45-56

• CRANIAL NERVES………………………………57-59

• CEREBELLUM…………………………………… 60-66

• SPINAL CORD…………………………………… 67-70

2 • BLOOD SUPPLY…………………………………71-77
 TERMS & DEFINITIONS :
• Colliculus – rounded elevation

• Commissure – a bundle of axons which cross the midline to connect with the
same area on the contralateral side

• Decussation- a bundle of axons which cross the midline to connect with

different areas on the contralateral side

• Fasciculus – a structurally well defined bundle of axons

• Funiculus – a large bundle of fibers made up of two or more fasciculi

• Fissure – a deep sulcus

• Fossa - a depression

• Gyrus – a folded elevation of the cerebral cortex

3
 TERMS & DEFINITIONS (continued):
• Peduncle – a large bundle of axons arranged in a stalk or pillar-lke
structure

• Stria – a stripe or ridge

• Sulcus – a groove or depression

• Tectum – “roof” of ventricle in the midbrain

• Tegmentum – floor of the ventricle in the brainstem

• Tubercle – a bump

• Tract – a bundle of axons in CNS with a common origin, termination, &

function

• Trigone – a triangular shaped elevation

4
 MENINGES
(Coverings of the Brain)

5
 MENINGES
Coverings of Brain

DURA MATER

The brain and spinal cord

have three connective
tissue coverings called the
meninges. The outer
covering, shown here
following removal of the
6 calvaria or skull cap, is the
tough Dura Mater.
 ARACHNOID

The second layer is the Arachnoid. The Arachnoid is a thin, glistening connective
tissue layer. The brain can be seen beneath the transparent arachnoid. The pia mater is
the third layer. The pia mater forms a connective tissue capsule which is intimately
connected to the outer surface of the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid, a
7 clear, colorless filtrate from the blood, is present between the arachnoid and pia mater
in the subarachnoid space.
 DURA MATER
(Reflections)

Falx Cerebri

Diaphragma Tentorial
Incisure
Sellae
Tentorium
Cerebelli
The Dura Mater has several reflections within the cranial vault which separate parts of the
brain. The Falx Cerebri separates the right from the left cerebral hemisphere, the Tentorium
Cerebelli separates the Occipital Lobe of the Cerebrum from the underlying Cerebellum, and
8 the Diaphragma Sellae forms a circular partition around the stalk of the pituitary gland. The
medial edge of the Tentorium Cerebelli is called theTentorial Incisure.
 DIVISIONS
OF THE
BRAIN

9
DIVISIONS OF BRAIN
Rostral

CEREBRUM
FOREBRAIN
- CEREBRUM (Telencephalon) THALAMUS

- THALAMUS) (Diencephalon) MIDBRAIN

CEREBELLUM
Yellow = Embryological Terms
PONS
HINDBRAIN
MEDULLA
- BRAINSTEM
- Medulla (Myelencephalon)
- Pons (Metencephalon) SPINAL CORD
Caudal
- Midbrain (Mesencephalon)
- CEREBELLUM (Metencephalon)
10
 The divisions of the brain
FRONTAL are seen here in a Frontal
(Coronal) (Coronal) Slice of the brain.

SECTION

CEREBRUM

THALAMUS

MIDBRAIN

PONS

MEDULLA

11 SPINAL CORD
 In this lateral view, the
largest parts of the brain,
the Cerebrum & the
Cerebellum, can be seen.

CEREBRUM

If we take out the area of

the Cerebrum outlined in
red, the brainstem and its
connections to the
Cerebrum & Cerebellum
can be appreciated.

CEREBELLUM
12
BRAIN – Lateral View
 CEREBRUM

If we take out the area of Midbrain

the Cerebrum outlined in CEREBELLUM
red, the brainstem and its
connections to the
Cerebrum & Cerebellum Pons
can be appreciated.
Medulla

13
BRAIN – Lateral View
BRAINSTEM – Medulla-Pons-Midbrain FOREBRAIN – Thalamus-Cerebrum

The divisions of the brain

and the connection of the

Cerebrum
brain to the spinal cord is
viewed here in a
midsagittal cut of the brain
(Half-Brain).

Thalamus
Midbrain
Cerebellum
Pons

Medulla
Spinal
14 Cord
BRAIN – Midsagittal View
The three divisions of
the brainstem are
seen here in this BRAINSTEM
anterior- inferior view.

MIDBRAIN

PONS

MEDULLA

15
ANTERIOR - INFERIOR VIEW
 CEREBRAL
HEMISPHERES
(Telencephalon)

LABORATORY SPECIMENS UTILIZED:

- Half Brain
16
CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES : LOBES

Parieto-Occipital
Sulcus

PARIETAL
FRONTAL LOBE
LOBE
Frontal Occipital
OCCIPI-
Pole
LATERAL VIEW
TAL Pole
LOBE
INSULAR TEMPORAL
LOBE LOBE
-Located deep Sulcus
Temporal
to Frontal &
Pole Gyrus Preoccipital
Parietal Lobes Notch
is not shown The Cerebrum is divided into 5 Lobes. On the
The most rostral partlateral
The
of the surface
Occipital
Forebrain theisFrontal
Lobe is
the Lobe is
separated
Cerebrum separated
from
or Telencephalon
the made up of two Cerebral
from
The
Hemispheres. The Cerebrum the
Parietal Parietal
Temporal
and anLobeLobe
has Temporal
outer, by a
is highly fairly
separated regular
from
Lobes stratified
by an the
imaginary
layer of gray matter called the Cerebral
Cortex which is thrownsulcus
Note
Frontal
vertical
into (Central
thea&Frontal,
line
series Sulcus)
ParietalTemporal,
passing
of Lobes
folds which
betweenand
orby
Gyri passes
theOccipital
the deep
(singular
Preoccipital
= gyrus) which greatly increase the
vertically
Poles. The
Transverse
surface area of the cortex.
Notch and
Polesslightly
Fissure
or indentatation
grooves obliquely
arebetween
reference
which through
thepoints
and continues
the Parieto- the Sulci (singular = sulcus). Deep
gyri are called
centraltoportion
indicating
posteriorly the
as anofwhich
the hemisphere.
furthest extent
imaginary ofatthe
startsline Frontal
which & BRAIN (Left)
17grooves are often referred
occipital
Deep to the cortex isTemporal
intersects
surface
the white
as
Sulcus
then
Fissures.
Lobes anteriorly,
theextends
middle
matter along theand
ofwith
the
thethe
superior
Occipital
occipital-parietal
inferiorly
several
on large
medial
nuclei located internally called Basal
(Lateral View)
Ganglia. Lobe
line. posteriorly.
surface.
CEREBRAL GYRI
Precentral Postcentral
Gyrus Gyrus Superior Parietal
Superior Lobule
Frontal
Gyrus
Inferior Parietal
Lobule:
Middle
Frontal Supramarginal
Gyrus The major Gyri & Sulci of the Cerebrum are labelled.note Gyrus
The function of the Primary Motor & Primary Sensory Areas +
are also indicated. Angular
Gyrus
The
The Postcentral Gyrusisisthe
Precentral Gyrus thePrimary
PrimaryMotor
Somatosensory
Cortex or Motor
Cortex or Sensory Strip- the area where sensations
Strip-the area which contains most of the neurons whichfrom the
Inferior body, e.g.,
directly touch,
control project movements.
voluntary into conscious awareness.

Frontal Lateral
Gyrus Occipital
Gyri
Superior Middle Inferior
Temporal Temporal Temporal
BRAIN (Left)
18 Gyrus Gyrus Gyrus (Lateral View)
CEREBRAL SULCI
Precentral Central
Sulcus Sulcus

Superior
Intraparietal
Frontal
Sulcus
Sulcus
Postcentral
Sulcus
Inferior
Frontal
Sulcus

Lateral
Occipital
Sulci
Lateral Superior Middle
Fissure Temporal Temporal
19 Eponyms: Sulcus Sulcus BRAIN (Left)
Lateral Fissure = Sylvian Fissure (Lateral View)
Central Sulcus = Rolandic Sulcus
CEREBRAL SULCI
Superior Longitudinal Fissure

Central Sulcus
Intraparietal
Sulcus

SUPERIOR-LATERAL VIEW
Frontal
Pole
Occipital
Pole

BRAIN ( Left & Right Hemispheres)

20 (Superior-Lateral View)
CEREBRAL GYRI

( Inferior Portion of Lateral Frontal & Parietal Lobes Resected )

Insular LATERAL VIEW

Gyri

The two Transverse Temporal Gyri

Make up the Primary Auditory Cortex
where auditory sensations (sounds)
project into conscious awareness.

Transverse Temporal BRAIN (Left)

21
(Lateral View)
Gyri
CEREBRAL GYRI

( Parietal Lobe Resected; Temporal Lobe Pulled Inferiorly )

LATERAL VIEW Trigone

Lateral
Ventricle

Inferior
Horn

22 Hippocampus BRAIN (Left)

(In Floor of Inferior Horn of Lateral Ventricle) (Lateral View)
CEREBRAL
GYRI

Parahippocampal
Gyrus

Uncus
Occipitotemporal
INFERIOR VIEW
of
Parahippocampal Gyrus
Gyrus
Inferior
Temporal
Gyrus

BRAIN
23
(Inferior View)
CEREBRAL
SULCI

Rhinal Sulcus

Inferior
Temporal
Collateral Sulcus
Sulcus

BRAIN
24
(Inferior View)
CEREBRAL
GYRI & SULCI
Orbital
Olfactory
Frontal Sulci
Sulcus

Olfactory Bulb Orbital

Frontal Gyri

Olfactory Gyrus
Tract Rectus

Medial Lateral
Olfactory Stria Olfactory Stria

Anterior
Perforated
Substance

25 BRAIN
(Inferior View)
CEREBRAL GYRI
Paracentral
Precuneus Cingulate
Lobule
Gyrus Gyrus

Cuneus
Gyrus
Superior
Frontal
Calcarine Gyrus
Fissure
MIDSAGITTAL VIEW
Lingual
Gyrus
Subcallosal
Area
The superior portion of the Lingual
The anterior
Gyrus & the half of the
inferior Paracentral
portion of the Lobule is the
continuation
Cuneus of the
(“Lips” Primary
of the Motor Cortex or Motor Strip of
Calcarine
the Precentral
Fissure) make Gyrus
up the onto the medial
Primary Visual surface of the
cerebrum.
Cortex whereThewhat
posterior
we seehalf
is of the Paracentral Lobule is
projected
the continuation
into of the Primary Somatosensory Cortex or
conscious awareness.
Sensory Strip of the postcentral gyrus onto the medialSubcallosal
surface BRAIN (Left)
26 of the cerebrum. Gyrus (Mid Sagittal View)
CEREBRAL SULCI
Cingulate Sulcus of
Sulcus Corpus
Parieto- Callosum
Occipital
Sulcus

Calcarine
Fissure

BRAIN (Left)
27
(Mid Sagittal View)
 Corpus Callosum

Splenium
Body

Septum
Pellucidum

MIDSAGITTAL VIEW
Genu
On this half-brain specimen, note the two
TheThe
commissures Fornix
Corpus is an
which
Callosum associational
interconnect
is dividedthe bundle
intoright of
a central
and axons
left which anconnects
hemispheres. Thesetheare Hippocampus
the massive with
part or Body,
theCallosum,
Hypothalamus.
enlarged
The
posterior
fornix forms
part
a portion
Anterior Commissure
Corpus
called foundan
the Splenium, inanterior
the roofpart
of the
which
of the roof ofbody rd
thebend
3 ofventricle.
anterior
forms horn and
a C-shaped theAlso
the lateral
called note
andthe
ventricle,
Genu a
and Septum
theinferior
thin Pellucidum,
diminutive
part Anterior a
called the thin membrane
Commissure
Rostrum.
located in the interval between
located in the anterior-superior part of thethe
Corpus
3rd
Callosum and the Fornix which separates the
ventricle.
right and left ventricle.
28 BRAIN (Left)
(Mid Sagittal View)
CEREBRAL GYRI

Dentate INFERIOR-MEDIAL VIEW

Gyrus

Occipito-
temporal
Gyrus

Para- Uncus
of
hippocampal Parahippocampal LEFT CEREBRUM
29 Gyrus Gyrus (Inferior-medial View)
CEREBRAL SULCI

Hippocampal
Sulcus

Collateral Rhinal
Sulcus Sulcus LEFT CEREBRUM
30
(Inferior-Medial View)
 (Septum Pellucidum & Brainstem Resected)

Fornix

Body

INFERIOR-MEDIAL
Crus VIEW
Column
Fimbria

Note the C-shaped Fornix which has an

anterior portion or Column which forms the
anterior and superior boundary of the
interventricular foramen, a Body overlying the
3rd ventricle, a Crus which interconnects with
the contralateral fornix, and a tail or Fimbria
which overlies the Hippocampus in the
LEFT CEREBRUM
31 inferior horn of the lateral ventricle.
(Inferior-Medial View)
 VENTRICLES

LABORATORY SPECIMENS UTILIZED:

- Half Brain

32
LATERAL VENTRICLE Lateral Portion of Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, and
Superior Portion of Temporal Lobe Resected
(Regions)

Anterior
Trigone Body Horn

Posterior
Horn Caudate
Nucleus

LATERAL VIEW
Frontal
Pole
Occipital
Pole
RIGHT BRAIN DISSECTED
(Lateral View)

Inferior Temporal
Pole
Horn
The anterior horn of the lateral ventricle is located in the frontal lobe. The body of the
33 lateral ventricle continues posteriorly into the parietal lobe, the posterior horn into the occipital lobe,
and the inferior horn down into the temporal lobe
 Lateral Portion of Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, and
LATERAL VENTRICLE Superior Portion of Temporal Lobe Resected
(Structures in Inferior & Posterior Horns)

Calcar
Avis

Frontal
Occipital Pole
Pole
Collateral
Eminence

Hippocampus
Temporal
Pole

These structures produce elevations or bumps BRAIN (Right)

34 in the walls of the posterior and/or inferior
horns of the lateral ventricles. (Lateral View)
LATERAL VENTRICLE Fornix & Septum Pellucidum Resected – Lateral Ventricle Exposed
(Strucutures in Anterior Horn & Body)

CAUDATE NUCLEUS
(In Lateral Wall of Lateral Ventricle)

Body

Head

MIDSAGITTAL VIEW
The head and body of the Caudate nucleus produce a large elevation in the lateral
wall of the anterior horn and body of the lateral ventricle

35 BRAIN (Left)
(Mid Sagittal View)
 VENTRICLES Choroid Plexus BRAIN (Left)
(Mid Sagittal View)
Superior
Medullary
Velum

Septum
Pellucidum
3rd
Ventricle
4th
Ventricle

Cerebral Interventricular
Aqueduct Foramen
The Septum Pellucidum separates the lateral ventricles of the two cerebral hemispheres.
The lateral ventricle connects with the Third Ventricle via the Interventricular Foramen (Foramen of Monroe)
The dorsal thalamus and hypothalamus make up the lateral walls of the third ventricle. The third ventricle
merges caudally with the narrow Cerebral Aqueduct in the midbrain which passes into the Fourth Ventricle
36 the pons and medulla. The roof of the fourth ventricle is the superior medullary velum and inferior
overlying
medullary velum (not shown).
VENTRICLES
(Recesses)

Septum
C Pellucidum

3rd
Ventricle
4th
Ventricle
B A

A = Optic Recess Note the Recesses (A-D) of the

third and fourth ventricles. Recesses
B = Infundibular Recess are small extensions or evaginations
of the ventricles.
C = Pineal Recess

37 D = Lateral Recess BRAIN (Left)

(Mid Sagittal View)
 (Septum Pellucidum Resected)
VENTRICLES
The Fourth Ventricle opens into the
Cisterna Magna via the Median Aperture of
Magendie and two Lateral Apertures of Lushka.
Identify the Choroid Plexus in the lateral ventricle,
roof of the third ventricle, and the posterior roof
and lateral recess of the fourth ventricle.

Choroid
Plexus

Lateral Ventricle

3rd
Ventricle

4th
Ventricle Cerebral
Aqueduct

Median
Aperture Lateral Recess
to Interventricular BRAIN (Left)
38 Lateral Aperture Foramen (Mid Sagittal View)
 THALAMUS
(Diencephalon)

LABORATORY SPECIMENS UTILIZED:

- Brainstem

- Half Brain
39
 The Thalamus (Diencephalon) is part of the
Forebrain and is divided into :
1) Dorsal Thalamus (Superior)
2) Hypothalamus (Inferior and Medial)
3) Subthalamus (Lateral to Hypothalamus)

On a half brain specimen, the

Thalamus can be identified. The
Thalamus (anteroom) is connected
caudally with the midbrain and
rostrally with the cerebral
hemispheres. Note that the walls of Dorsal
the 3rd ventricle are completely
MIDSAGITTAL VIEW
formed by the Thalamus. The
Hypothalamic Sulcus separates the
Thalamus

Dorsal Thalamus superiorly from the

Hypothalamus inferiorly. The
subthalamus is located lateral to the Hypothalamus
hypothalamus and is not visible here.

= Hypothalamic
Sulcus

40 BRAIN (Left)
(Mid Sagittal View)
 EPITHALAMUS

Pineal Habenula Stria

Medullaris
Thalami

Interthalamic
Adhesion
The anterior wall of the 3rd ventricle is a thin
sheet of tissue called the Lamina Terminalis.
In the Dorsal Thalamus note the Interthalamic
Adhesion (Massa Intermedia), and the three Lamina Terminalis
parts of the Epithalamus: Stria Medullaris
Thalami, Habenula, and the Pineal Gland.
The floor of the Hypothalamus is made up of
the Infundibulum, which connects with the
pituitary gland, and posteriorly, the Tuber Infundibulum
Cinereum and Mammillary Body.

Tuber Cinereum

41 Mammillary BRAIN (Left)

Body (Mid Sagittal View)
BRAINSTEM
Stria Medullaris
Anterior
Thalamic Habenula
Nu

Pulvinar Stalk
of
Pineal

POSTERIOR VIEW
On this specimen, the following thalamic
structures can be seen: 1. the Epithalamus
(Stria Medullaris Thalami, Habenula, & Pineal),
2. the Anterior Nucleus of the dorsal thalamus
(Anterior Tubercle) and, 3. the Pulvinar (the
large posterior portion of the dorsal thalamus
which overhangs the midbrain.

BRAINSTEM-
THALAMUS
42 (Posterior View)
BRAINSTEM

Pulvinar

Medial Geniculate Body

Lateral Geniculate Body

The Metathalamus of the Dorsal Thalamus is

made up of two nuclei tucked under the
Pulvinar. These are the Medial and Lateral
Geniculate Bodies.
The Medial Geniculate Body receives input
from the Brachium of the Inferior Colliculus
and is part of the Auditory Pathway. The
Lateral Geniculate Body is part of the Visual
Pathway receiving fibers from the Optic Tract.
The Lateral Geniculate Body also gives rise
to visual reflex fibers which enter the Superior
Colliculus via the Brachium of the Superior BRAINSTEM-
43 Colliculus. THALAMUS
(Posterior-Superior View)
 On this view of the inferior surface of the
brain, the following parts of the Dorsal
Thalamus can be observed: Optic Nerve,
Optic Chiasm, & Optic Tract. In the
Hypothalamus, the Infundibulum, Tuber
Cinereum, & Mammillary Body can be seen.

Optic Nerve

Optic Chiasm Indundibulu

INFERIOR
Optic Tract
VIEW m

Tuber Cinereum

Mammillary Body

BRAIN
44
(Inferior View)
 BRAINSTEM
-Medulla ( Myelencephalon)

-Pons (Part of Metencephalon)

- Midbrain ( Mesencephalon)

LABORATORY SPECIMENS UTILIZED:

- Brainstem

- Half Brain
45
 Cerebrum

MIDSAGITTAL VIEW
Thalamus
Cerebellum Midbrain

Pons

Medulla

Spinal
46 Cord The Brainstem is connected caudally with the BRAIN (Left)
spinal cord and rostrally with the Thalamus. (Mid Sagittal View)
 As seen in the midsagittal view, the brainstem
is divided into 3 longitudinal tiers:
1) The Tectum (roof) located posterior to
the cerebral aqueduct in the midbrain
2) The Tegmentum (floor) which is located
anterior to the ventricle throughout the
length of the brainstem
3) The Pyramid in the medulla, the Basilar
Inferior Superior
Colliculus Colliculus
Pons in the pons, and the Cerebral
Peduncle in the midbrain are all part of a
Superior large motor pathway (Pyramidal Tract)
Medullary
Posterior which is located anterior to the
Velum
Commissure tegmentum

The Tectum is further divided into a Superior

4th Colliculus and an Inferior Colliculus on each
Ventricle side. The Posterior Commissure of the
midbrain is located just rostral to the tectum.
Caudally, the tectum is continuous with the
SuperiorSuperior Medullary Velum which forms the
Pontine
roof over the rostral portion of the 4th
Basilar Sulcus
ventricle.
Pons

The Medulla is separated from the Pons by

Inferior the Inferior Pontine Sulcus and the Pons is
47 Pontine separated from the Midbrain by the Superior BRAIN (Left)
Sulcus Pontine Sulcus. (Mid Sagittal View)
 BRAINSTEM
(Temporal Lobes Pulled Laterally)

ANTERIOR VIEW
Thalamus

Midbrain
The Medulla, Pons &
Midbrain are delineated
BRAINSTEM

here on the anterior

Pons surface of the brain.

Medulla
BRAINSTEM
48
(Anterior View)
 BRAINSTEM
In the Medulla, the right & left Pyramids are
separated by the Anterior Median Fissure. The
Pyramidal Decussation , where the Pyramidal
Tract crosses to the contralateral side, is
apparent on the surface of the caudal
pyramids. The Olive is a large bump located
just lateral to the pyramids in the rostral
medulla. A tuft of Choroid Plexus can be seen
extending from the Inferior Medullary Velum
through the lateral aperture of the 4th
ventricle.

Choroid Plexus
(Protruding from Lateral Aperture)

Pyramid
Olive
MEDULLA

Anterior Median
Fissure

Pyramidal
Decussation
BRAINSTEM
49 (Anterior View)
 BRAINSTEM In the Medulla, the Preolivary Sulcus is seen
between the pyramid and the olive. The
Postolivary Sulcus is located between the
olive and the Tuberculum Cinereum (not
shown). The Inferior Pontine Sulcus is located
between the medulla and pons.
In the Pons, the Basilar Sulcus or groove of
the Basilar artery can be seen.

BASILAR PONS
Basilar Sulcus
(For Basilar Artery)

Inferior Pontine
Sulcus Postolivary Sulcus
(CN. VI, VII, VIII) (CN. IX, X)
MEDULLA

Preolivary Sulcus
(CN. XII)

BRAINSTEM
50
(Anterior View)
 BRAINSTEM
(Temporal Lobes Pulled Laterally)
In the Midbrain the massive right and left
Cerebral Peduncles are seen. The two
peduncles are separated by the
Interpeduncular Fossa. Posteromedial central
arteries enter the brain through the holes in
the Posterior Perforated Substance located in
the floor of the fossa. Cranial nerve III also
enters the midbrain through this fossa.

Posterior MIDBRAIN
Perforated
Substance

Cerebral
Peduncle Interpeduncular
Fossa

BRAINSTEM
51
(Anterior View)
BRAINSTEM

THALAMUS

MIDBRAIN

POSTERIOR VIEW
PONS
The Medulla, Pons &
BRAINSTEM
Midbrain are delineated
on the posterior surface
of the brainstem.

MEDULLA

BRAINSTEM
52
(Posterior View)
 In the caudal Medulla, several structures are
BRAINSTEM seen. The Posterior Median Sulcus is on the
midline. The Posterior Intermediate sulcus
divides the Fasciculus Gacilis (long & slender) and
Fasciculus Cuneatus (wedge shaped), and the
Posterolateral Sulcus separates the
Fasciculus Cuneatus from the more lateral
swelling, the Tuberculum Cinereum (Spinal
Nucleus of V). The Fasciculus Gracilis
terminates rostrally in a swelling - the
Tuberculum (Nucleus) Gracilis and the
Fasciculus Cuneatus terminates in the
Tuberculum (Nucleus) Cuneatus.

Tuberculum Cuneatus
(Nucleus Cuneatus)

Tuberculum Gracilis
Posterior Lateral Sulcus (Nucleus Gracilis)

Posterior Median Tuberculum Cinereum

Sulcus (Spinal Nucleus & Tract of V)

Posterior Fasciculus Gracilis

Intermediate
Fasciculus Cuneatus
Sulcus
CAUDAL
53 BRAINSTEM
(Posterior View)
BRAINSTEM
Median Emminence

Posterior
Median Facial Colliculus
Sulcus ( Motor fibers of VII
passing over Motor Nu of VI )
Rhomboid Fossa

Hypoglossal Trigone
( Motor Nucleus of XII )
Auditory Area
Vagal Trigone ( Dorsal Cochlear Nucleus)
( Dorsal Motor Nucleus of X )

Area Postrema
Obex

Vestibular Area
( Vestibular Nuclei )
Lateral toonthe
A swelling median
either sideemminence
of the Posteriorat
the junction
Median Sulcusbetween
called the theMedian
medulla &
Rostral to the tuberculum
pons is the is
Emminence Vestibular
presentgracilis
Areais
from the floor
(Vestibular
the rostral ---- =Sulcus Limitans
Three V-shaped
th
of themedulla
4Nuclei),
ventricleswellings can be seen in the
andorlateral
through Rhomboid
the to thisFossa
pons. isthe
In which
thecaudal
caudal
extends from portion
theArea of the fossa.
mid-medulla These
to the mid are
to
Auditory
pons a small (Dorsal
rounded Cochlear
elevation in the
from
rostral Pons.medial to
The The lateral:
caudal most point of the
Nucleus).
median emminence, Sulcusthe Limitans
Facial
1) Hypoglossal
ventricle is called Trigone
the Median
Obex. ( Motor Nu XII) CAUDAL
separates the Emminence from
54 2) Vagal Trigone (Dorsal Motor Nupassing
Colliculus (Motor fibers of VII X) BRAINSTEM
thethe
over Vestibular
Nu of VI Area.
) can be seen.
3) Area Postrema (Emetic Center) (Posterior View)
BRAINSTEM

Brachium
NOTE: The 4 Colliculi of of
the tectum are refered to
collectively as the
Superior Colliculus
Quadrigeminal Plate.
Brachium
Superior Colliculus of
Inferior Colliculus
Inferior Colliculus
CEREBELLAR
PEDUNCLES
The three Cerebellar Peduncles
are shown here as they enter the
Superior
brainstem on each side.
In the Midbrain identify the
Superior Colliculus and Inferior Middle
Colliculus. Also identify the
Inferior
Brachium of the Superior
Colliculus and the Brachium of
the Inferior Colliculus which
connect with the Lateral
Geniculate Body and Medial
Geniculate Body, respectively.

BRAINSTEM
55
(Posterior View)
BRAINSTEM (Portions of Parietal & Temporal Lobes Resected)
In this lateral view, the large Middle Cerebellar
Peduncle is seen projecting from the Basilar
Pons.
In the Midbrain, the massive Cerebral
Peduncles (anterior) and the Superior
Colliculus, Inferior Colliculus, and Superior
Cerebellar Peduncle (posterior) are seen.

Superior
Colliculus

LATERAL VIEW Inferior

Colliculus

Cerebral
Peduncle

CEREBELLUM

Superior Cerebellar
Peduncle
Middle Cerebellar BRAINSTEM
56 Peduncle (Lateral View)
 CRANIAL NERVES
LABORATORY SPECIMENS UTILIZED:

- Whole Brain

- Brainstem

57
 I I OLFACTORY
CRANIAL Fila Olfactoria
NERVES

ORIGIN

ANTERIOR
CEREBRUM -
The fila olfactoriaINFERIOR
(approximately 20 nerveVIEW
rootlets on each side) comprise the
(I)
To get
Olfactory a better
nerves view ofrun from the
(I) which
the other
olfactory cranial
receptors innerves we’ll
the nasal cavity to
ZOOM inbulb.
the olfactory on the area outlined
in red.

Nerves are
illustrated on the
left side of brain only

BRAIN
58
(Anterior-Inferior View)
 CRANIAL NERVES
(continued)
ORIGIN II

The Optic nerves (II) are large & join at the midline to II OPTIC
THALAMUS
III
form the optic chiasm, then continue laterally as the (CNS Tract)
optic tracts. The optic nerve is not a true nerve but
(II) rather a CNS tract. IV III OCULOMOTOR
MIDBRAIN The Oculomotor nerves (III) emerge from a depression
in the midbrain, the interpeduncular fossa, just
IV TROCHLEAR
(III, IV)
caudal to the optic chiasm
V V TRIGEMINAL
The Trochlear nerves (IV) are small & are seen on the
PONS lateral surface of the midbrain. They are the only VI ABDUCENS
(V, VI, VII) VI
nerves which exit from the posterior side of the
brain
VII VII FACIAL
The Trigeminal nerves (V) are large and emanate from
the lateral surface of the pons
VIII
Pontomedullary Jct. VIII VESTIBULO-
(VIII)
IX COCHLEAR
The Abducens nerves (VI) exit near the midline from
the Moving
inferior laterally
pontine sulcus which separates
in the inferior X
the
pontine sulcus, IX GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL
Slightly
ponsthe
from thelateral
Facial medulla
nerves to
(VII) XII
thecan
facial
be nerve
seen.
MEDULLA is the Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII) X VAGUS
(IX, X, XII)
XI XI SPINAL ACCESSORY
The postolivary sulcus is a groove running rostrocaudally
on the lateral surface of the medulla. From this sulcus pass XII HYPOGLOSSAL
the small Glossopharyngeal nerves (IX) rostrally and the much
The Spinal
larger VagusAccessory
nerves (X) nerves (XI) exit the cervical cord then
caudally.
pass rostrally through the foramen magnum to exit the BRAINSTEM
59 Thevault
cranial Hypoglossal
with the nerves (XII) exit the
glossopharyngeal medulla
and vagusvia (Anterior View)
the preolivary sulcus
nerves.
 CEREBELLUM
(Part of Metencephalon)

LABORATORY SPECIMENS UTILIZED:

-Whole Brain

-Half Brain

-Brainstem
60
 CEREBELLUM

Medial – Lateral Divisions

POSTERIOR VIEW
Vermis
Posterior View

Lateral Hemispheres

The cerebellum coordinates movement and retains

motor skill (procedural) memory. The cerebellum
is divided mediolaterally into a narrow midline
portion called the Vermis which is connected
ANTERIOR VIEW laterally to two massive (right and left)
Hemispheres. The surface (cortex) is thrown into
a series of transverse folds called Folia.

Anterior View
61
CEREBELLUM Medial – Lateral Divisions

MIDSAGITTAL VIEW The Vermis

and Left
Hemisphere of the
cerebellum are
LATERAL shown on this half
HEMISPHERE brain. specimen

BRAIN (Left)
62 (Midsagittal View)
 CEREBELLUM
Anterior - Posterior
ANTERIOR LOBE
Divisions ( Lobes )
POSTERIOR VIEW ANTERIOR LOBE
POSTERIOR LOBE
Posterior View POSTERIOR LOBE

FLOCCULONODULAR LOBE
ANTERIOR LOBE

The hemispheres together with the vermis of the

Flocculus Flocculus
cerebellum are also divided from anterior to

ANTERIOR
Nodulus VIEW
posterior into 3 phylogenetic (as well as functional)
divisions or lobes. These are the Anterior Lobe, the
large Posterior Lobe, and, the oldest part of the
cerebellum – the Flocculonodular Lobe. The latter is
POSTERIOR LOBE made up of the Nodulus of the vermis and the
paired Flocculi of the hemispheres.
Anterior View
63
CEREBELLUM Anterior - Posterior Divisions (Lobes)
The
TheFlocculonodular
anterior– posteriorLobe
divisions
(Archicerebellum)
(Lobes) areisbest
the
oldest
seen in
part
a midsagittal
of the cerebellum
cut through
and connects
the vermis.
withThe
the
vestibular
Anterior Lobe
system Occupies
to coordinate
the vermis
balance
and and
hemispheres
LOBES equilibrium.
rostral to the Primary Fissure. The Posterior Lobe
makes up the bulk of the cerebellum, comprising the
The
remaining
Anteriorvermis
Lobe (Paleocerebellum)
and hemispheres from
is associated
the Primary
with
Fissure
the development
to the Posterolateral
and coordination
Fissure. The
of the
latter
limbs.
Anterior fissure separates the Posterior lobe from the
The
Flocculonodular
Posterior LobeLobe.
(Neocerebellum) developed in
Lobe association with the development of the cerebral
Primary cortex and is associated with the coordination of

MIDSAGITTAL VIEW
Fissure complex skilled movements.

Posterior
Lobe

Posterolateral
Fissure

Nodulus BRAIN (Left)

64 (Midsagittal View)
(Of Flocculonodular Lobe)
 BRAINSTEM

The cerebellum forms the roof of the

4th ventricle and is connected to the CEREBELLAR
brainstem by 3 pairs of peduncles or PEDUNCLES
pillars (shown on right side of
brainstem) . The peduncles are made
up of axons entering and leaving the
cerebellum. The Inferior Cerebellar
POSTERIOR VIEW Superior
peduncle projects from the medulla,
the large Middle Cerebellar Peduncle Middle
projects from the Pons, and the 4th
Superior Cerebellar Peduncle Ventricle Inferior
connects with the midbrain.

BRAIN
STEM
(Posterior
65 View)
BRAINSTEM (Portions of Parietal & Temporal Lobes Resected)

The connections of the Middle and

Superior Cerebellar Peduncles can be
seen in this lateral dissection. The
Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle is NOT
shown.
Note also the Cerebral Peduncle
(enroute from the cerebrum) on the
anterior surface of the midbrain.

LATERAL VIEW Cerebral

Peduncle

CEREBELLUM

Superior Cerebellar
Peduncle
Middle Cerebellar BRAINSTEM
66 Peduncle (Lateral View)
 SPINAL CORD
LABORATORY SPECIMENS UTILIZED:

- Spinal Cord

67
SPINAL CORD

DENTICULATE
LIGAMENT

ARACHNOID
ANTERIOR SPINAL

ANTERIOR VIEW ARTERY

DURA MATER
ANTERIOR ROOT
of
SPINAL NERVE
DENTICULATE
LIGAMENT

Spinal Cord
68 (Anterior View)
SPINAL CORD
Posterior Median
Sulcus

POSTERIOR VIEW
Posterior Intermediate
Sulcus

Posterior Lateral
Sulcus

Anterior Median
Fissure
69 Rostral Spinal Cord Rostral Spinal Cord
(Posterior View) (Anterior View)
SPINAL
CORD

ANTERIOR VIEW
The Conus Medullaris
terminates between
Conus Medullaris the L1 and L2
vertebral levels in the
adult.

Cauda Equina

Filum terminale

70 Caudal Spinal Cord

(Anterior View)
 LABORATORY EXERCISE III

BLOOD SUPPLY
LABORATORY SPECIMENS NEEDED:

- Whole Brain

71
 BRAIN
BLOOD SUPPLY
Arterial
Circle Internal
Carotid A.
The Brain receives its blood
supply via the Internal Carotid

ANTERIOR VIEW and the Vertebral Arteries.

BASILAR
PONS Basilar A.

Vertebral A.
CEREBELLUM
72
BASE OF BRAIN
 ARTERIAL Anterior
SUPPLY Communicating A.

Anterior Cerebral A.

Middle Cerebral A.
Internal Carotid A.
Posterior
Communicating A. Posterior
Cerebral A.
Superior
Cerebellar A.
ANTERIOR VIEW Pontine Arteries
Basilar A.
Anterior Inferior
The major branches
of the Internal Carotid and
Cerebellar A.
Vertebral-Basilar Artery
Systems are shown.
Vertebral A.
Posterior Inferior
Cerebellar A.

Anterior BRAINSTEM
73 Spinal A. (Anterior View)
 ARTERIAL Anterior
SUPPLY Communicating A.

Anterior Cerebral A.

Internal Carotid A.
Posterior
Communicating A.
The arterial branches
which make up the Arterial
Circle of Willis are indicated
here.

Posterior
Cerebral A.

BRAINSTEM
74 (Anterior View)
 ARTERIAL
SUPPLY
RECURRENT
ARTERIES

Medial Striate A.
(from Anterior Cerebral A.)

Three recurrent
arterial branches to
forebrain structures
are shown here. Anterior
Choroidal A.
(from Internal Carotid A.)

Posterior
Choroidal A.
(from Posterior Cerebral A.)

BRAINSTEM
75 (Anterior View)
 ARTERIAL
SUPPLY DORSAL
THALAMUS

Central
Arteries
MIDBRAIN
HYPOTHALAMUS

MIDSAGITTAL VIEW
PONS

The small “Central Arteries” which take origin from the Arterial Circle. are arranged in four groups:

Anteromedial – from the anterior cerebral and anterior communicating arteries

Posteromedial – (also called thalamoperforating) from the posterior communicating and medial
portion of the posterior cerebral arteries
Posterolateral – (also called thalamogeniculate) from the lateral portion of the posterior cerebral
76 arteries BRAIN (Left)
(Midsagittal View)
Anterolateral – (also called lateral striate or lenticulostriate) arising from the middle cerebral
MEDULLA artery
 STRAIGHT
GREAT
SINUS
CEREBRAL
VEIN
Splenium

Thalamus

The Great Cerebral Vein is located just inferior to the splenium

of the corpus callosum. This vessel, which drains into the
Straight Sinus, provides venous drainage for internal
forebrain structures.
BRAIN (Right)
(Midsagittal View)
77
THE END