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The Neuraxis
Dorsal Anterior
Ventral
Posterior
The Neuraxis
Dorsal Anterior
Ventral
Dorsal
Posterior
A few definitions
Dorsal (back) refers to the top of the head and the back The ventral (front) surface faces the ground These directions are somewhat more complicated in humans because our neuraxis bends, so that the top of the head is now perpendicular to the back
A few definitions
Slices of the brain Transversely, like a loaf of bread - also called frontal or cross sections Parallel to the ground, giving us horizontal sections Perpendicular to the ground and parallel to the neuraxis - sagittal section - midsagittal plane divides the brain in half along the longitudinal fissure Because of our upright posture, cross sections of our spinal cord are actually parallel to the ground
Brain anatomy
The Brainstem
Consists of all structures from the thalamus to the spinal cord Regulatory functions: Eating, drinking, body temperature, sleep and waking, basic movement and learning Generally speaking, these structures rule functions that are hard-wired, automatic, and not very plastic
The Brainstem
The Brainstem
Thalamus: A relay centre for sensory information (touch, vision, hearing); located near the middle of the cerebral hemispheres.
Fibres project to primary sensory areas in neocortex There are separate nuclei for vision, touch, hearing Not a passive structure because the majority (80%) of its connections are not from sensory neurons, but from the neocortex (including motor areas).
Dendrites of neuron B
Axon of neuron A
(note varicosities)
A chemical synapse
formed between axons and dendrites
no myelin
Spiny dendrite
Axon cell A (small vesicles)
axon
Spine: cell B
excitatory synapse
When two cells fire together the synapse between them strengthens
Vesicles containing neurotransmitter molecules Receptors binding neurotransmitter
Intracellular injection of Lucifer Yellow in fixed cortical tissue Human pyramidal neuron from the neocortex
1 mspines m
Layer II
20 mm
Spines
Dendrites of neuron B
Axon of neuron A
(note varicosities)
A chemical synapse
formed between axons and dendrites
Spiny dendrite
Axon cell A (small vesicles)
axon
Spine: cell B
excitatory synapse
When two cells fire together the synapse between them strengthens
Vesicles containing neurotransmitter molecules Receptors binding neurotransmitter
Motor function