Of chief importance in understanding the organization of the brainstem and spinal cord is knowledge of what is localized in each embryological subdivision and in any transverse section from any level. This is a significant challenge for every student of neuroanatomy. But be encouraged! You already took the first step toward mastery of this knowledge since you now are familiar with the external features of each brainstem subdivision and each major level of the spinal cord. In this lab, you will relate this knowledge of superficial anatomy to internal anatomy, and discover additional important features of the brainstem and spinal that are not discernible from gross inspection of their surface features. But before beginning a detailed study of the internal anatomy of the brainstem and spinal cord, it will be helpful to familiarize yourself with some common conventions that are used to describe the deep structures of the central nervous system.
- Spinal cord
- Learning ojectives:
- recognize the internal distinctions among spinal levels.
- Specimens: one CNS specimen (with brain and spinal cord attached) available in lab
- Activities:
- Open to Figure 1.5 and the associated chart, and open the histological atlas of the brainstem and spinal cord ("Brainstem Cross-Sectional Atlas") in Sylvius4 Online )see the Sylvius Self-Study Exercise - Medullary Surface)
- Find each of the features listed in the chart and described in the text as you can on the sectional, histological views of the human spinal cord. (Do the spinal cord Challenge)
- Do the brainstem Challenges
- Learning ojectives:
- describe the relation between major external features of the brainstem, including the cranial nerves, and internal gray matter and white matter structures in each embryological division.
- Specimens:whole brains, mid-sagittal hemispheres, or brainstem models
- Activities:
- Work through Challenges 3.2-3.4 by referring to the charts and figures associated with descriptions of various sections through the medulla, pons and midbrain. Find each of the features listed in the charts and described in the text as you can on actual specimens
- Identify internal features of the brainstem that account for distinctive external features of each embryological subdivision; refer to the Brainstem Atlas in Sylvius4 Online for additional sections and annotations
- Examine slabs through human brainstem specimens
- Learning objectives:
- recognize the principal features of the brainstem that are visible with the unaided eye, including major gray matter and white matter structures in each embryological division.
- Specimens:thin gross slabs cut through the brainstem
- Activities:
- Repeat Challenges 3.2-3.4 using gross sections through the human brainstem, referring to the charts and figures associated with the text and the Brainstem Atlas in Sylvius4 Online
- Find as many of the visible gray and white matter features listed in the chart and described in the text as you can on actual specimens of the human brainstem.
- Refer to Figures 3.12-3.15 and identify the regions in wet slabs through the human brainstem containing cranial nerve nuclei (refer also to the Brainstem Atlas in Sylvius4 Online
- Refer to Figures 3.19 & 3.22 and find the "black substance" in the midbrain and pons
- Predict the impairments with brainstem stroke
- Learning ojectives:
- discuss functional impairments associated with vascular lesions that are typical in the brainstem.
- Specimens: brain or brainstem models; Sylvius4 Online
- Activities:
- Work through Challenge 3.5 by referring to Figure 3.16 and the charts and figures associated with descriptions of various sections through the brainstem
- Refer to the Brainstem Atlas in Sylvius4 Online for additional sections and annotations as needed.
- Identify the vessels that supply major medial and lateral regions of the brainstem
| 