Atlas

THE HUMAN CENTRAL

NERVOUS SYSTEM
This series of six plates presents labeled images of the human brain and spinal cord.
The surface features of the brain are shown in photographs of a postmortem specimen after removal of the meninges and supeifici.al blood vessels (Plate 1). Sectional
views of the forebrain in each of three standard anatomical planes (see Figure Al)
are derived from Tl-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of a living subject (Plates
2-4). In these images, mmpartrn.ents filled with aqueous fluids, such as the ventricles,
appear dark; tissues that are enriched with lipids, such as white matter, appear bright;
and tissues that are relatively poor in lipid (myelin) and high in water content, such as
gray matter, appear in intermediate shades of gray. Thus, the appearance of gray matter and white matter in the Tl-weighted series is similar to what would be observed
when dissecting a brain specimen obtained postmortem. The final images are transverse sections obtained from the major subdivisions of the brainstern. (Plate 5) and
spinal cord (Plate 6). Each of these histological images was acquired and processed
to simulate myelin staining; thus, white matter appears dark. while gray matter and
poorly myelinated fibers appear light
The brain and spinal cord images in these plate& are also present in the expanded
atlases featured in the neuroanatomical. media that accompanies this volume, Syl'Dius: lnteractfoe Atlas and Visual Glossary ofth.e Human Central Neroous System. Syl'Di:us
provides a unique computer-based learning environment for exploring and understanding the structure of the human central nervous system. The program features
annotated surface views of the human brain, as well as interactive tools for dissecting
the central nervous system and viewing annotated aoss sections of these specimens.
Sy"toius also incorporates a comprehensive, searchable database of more than 500
neuroanatomical terms, all concisely defined and visualized in photographs; Tlweighted images; and illustrations from this text. For instructions on how to access
Syh:nus, see inside the front cowr.

748 ATLAS

PLATE 1 PHOTOGRAPJDC ATLAS: BRAIN SURFACE

(A)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Superiorfrantalgyrus

. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Superiorfrantalsulcus
. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Middlefrantalgyrus
. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Infe:riorfrontalgyrus
;::::::::==~!>-===-~"":::'.'."--------- Inferior frontal sulcus
.---~-~~::-------- Prec:ent:ralgyrus
~~~~~-~---l!........,._:------- Centtalsukus
l==~----l'="____ Superior parie1al lobule
J::::.....~____;~--- Inttaparietal sukus
L_.....:::.._~----::.----,,=--~--- Postcentral sulcus
rE---~~-- Angulargyrus
!!------~=---+--+-- Supramarginal gyrus
1!-~~~---::lr~~'iii~;;--- Postcent?al gyrus
'\..i!::=---Lateral occipital gyri
~~===~::-::F~~ilji#--- Superior temporal gyrus
~--- Preoc:cipital notch
~---

Cerebellar hemisphere

~::::=!~----

Inferior temporal gyrus

Inferior temporal sulcus
=-- - - - - Middle temporal gyrus
L - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Superiortemporalsukus
L - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lateral (Sylvian) &sure
~~----

(B)

. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Superiorfrantalgyrus
.---------------------Cingulatesulcus
.-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Cingulategyrus

.-------------------Genumcorpuscalloswn
r-:::;;:::;::======,;::::::::;jjiii:i~==--------- Lateral ventricle

--------Centtalsulcus
- - - - - - Marginal branc:h
~-----

mcingulate sukus

Para.central lobule

~---- Fornix
~~---

Splenium of corpus callosum

=------ Precuneus gyrus

Cuneus gyrus
Cakarine sulcus
Lingt.W. gyrus
~~~-

~~---

Midbrain
Fourth ventricle

~---Pons

~~--- Tl.Wamus
tZ.~!!!!!!!!!1!!5!~-----

Medulla oblongata

_ _ _ _ _ _ Parahippocampalgyrus

L--~~~i......::""'"

'--~~~~___::;,.........._~~~~~

Rhinal sulc:us

L - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hypothalamus

L--------------- Opttcchium

L------------------GyrusredwJ

THE HUMAN CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Surfac:e feature of a human brain spec;imen. (A) lateral view of the left hemisphae. (B) MidsagitW view of right hem..isphae.
(0 Donal view. (D) Ventral view.

(C)

Supramarginal gyms

----------p::!!!;......,T""""'~=,...,.""'";=9

Angulargyrus-------=-"'"--+----i!;:.-~----.;;;~---"~---,.
Postcentralswcus--------.'~+----":::-=;;;..-....:----==.----'='i"
Centralswcus----~_.......-;--~-~-~~---=~

Postcentralgyrus------;:!::::!!~~~~o;!!!~;;p:-..l~~;::=.J!;
Precentralswcus----!'"-~~~-~--+---=-.ai

Precenttalgyrus---:=--==:;;;:.----.::=:=--;---=;__----;:--i
Superior frontal gyrus ------;==::=-::~
Longitudinal &sure -----,::~ ......................

Superior parietal lobule -----l~~...,---.:"""""'-"'1""'""-Superior frontal 8WCUS - - - - - ii!!!! ~~rJI!-~{\

lntraparietal 8WCU9 ----..!i~~~~+~ --~---;-~---7-~--;--Lateral occipital
gyri --===~~l:f'
Middle
frontal gyrus
Precentralgyrus-----~~~~~F==--iiiiii~
Centralswcus-------::!!!!!~!!!!!!!!!

Postcenttalgyrus - - - - - - - - - -

(D)

Glossopharyngeal.and vagusnerveroota ------------------~

Pacialn.erve -----------------~
Imerior temporal gyrus -----------~=---____,,..,____~,
INerior temporalswcus -------=--"'=":.........,.~==--~
Pons------==---=......--"~----'::~-;.-~-':i'I

Cerebral peduncle ----~~==i~=;;~=#==~=~

Mammillarybody=====~~~:J;::1;;:1;~~(
Optic chiasm
Otbital gyri

------:;!~~

Olfactory tract - - - - - ,
Longitudinal fissure - - Olfactory bulb - - -

Uncus - - Parahippocampal gyms - - Rhinal swCWI ---~iiiiiiiii~~~~

Trigeminal nerve ----~==~~

Vesti'bwocochlear nerve

-----~

Middle temporal gyrus - - - - - - Medullarypyramid - - - - - - - - - -

-======================::::::~~~~~::::::_J

Medulla
oblongata Inferi.orolive

Cerebellarhemisphere-----------------------'

747

748 ATLAS

PLATB2 COJlONALMJlATLAS

(A)

Superior frontal sukus

Superior frontal gyros
Superior sagittal sinus
Longitudinal fissure
Cingulate s~
Inferior frontal sulcus
Cingulate gyrus

Corpus c:a11osum, genu

Lateral ventricle, anterior horn
Caudate
Middle frontal gyros
Insular gyri.
Optic nerve
Temporal pole
Gyrus rectus
Middle temporal. gyms
Inferior frontal gyros

Lateral (sylv:ian) fissure

(B)

Inferior frontal gyros

Middle frontal gyms
Superior frontal gyros
Superior sagittal sinus
Superior frontal sulcus
Longitudinal fissure
Cingulate sukus
Inferior frontal sulcus
Cingul.ate gyrus
Corpus c:alloswn, body
Lateral ventricle
Internal capsule
Anterior oommis!Nre
Third ventricle
Optic tract
Superior temporal sulcus
Caudate

Inferior temporal. sulcus

Globus pallidus

Amygdala
Putamen

Insular gyri.
Inferior temporal. gyrus
'-------------------~ Superiortemporalgyrus
' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Middletemporalgyrus

' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lateral (sylv:ian) fissure

THE HUMAN CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Conmal sections of the human brain demonstrating intemal forebrain. structures in magnetic resonance images; images in
(AHO) are uranged ftom rostral to caudal.
(C)

Lateral(sylvian)fissure - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Precentral gyrus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .

Precentral sulcus
Superior frontal sukus
Superior frontal gyrus
Middle frontal gyrus

Cingulate gyrus
CorpU& oillowm, body
Fomix
Lateral ve:nlricle, body
Internal capsule

Thalamus, medi.odorsal nucleus

Insular gyri

Superior temporal gyms

Hippocampus
Middle temporal gyms
Inferior temporal gyrus
Parahippocampal gyms
Cerebral peduncle
Pons

Third ventricle
Caud.ate --~

Putamen

--..!!!!!!!

Lateral ventricle, temporal horn - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - '

Superiortemporalsukus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - '
(D)

Lateral(sylvian)fissure - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . . .
Posb:entralgyrus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .
Central sulCUB
Superior sagittal sinus
Longitudinal fissure

Paracen.tral lobule
Precentral gyms
Central sulcus
Cingulate sulcus

Cin.gulate gyms
Corpus ailloswn
Fomix

11lalamus, pulvinar
Superior temporal gyrus

Superior temporal sulCUB

Middle temporal gyrus - --==

Hippocampus
lnkrior temporal gyms
Parahippocampal gyrus

Inferior collic:ulus
Superior collic:ulus
Fourth ventricle
Medulla oblongata

Superior c:erebellar peduncle - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - '

Inferior c:erebellar peduncle - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - '

749

750

ATLAS

PLATE3 AXIALMRATLAS

(A)

Superior sagittal sinus

'----- Longitudinal fissure

'----'----....____
'-----

Superior &ontal gyrus

Superior &ontal sukus
Middle &ontal gyrus
Central sulcu.s
Poetcent:ml gyrus

....____ Precentral gyms

....____ Precentral gyms

'----- Central sulcus

- - - Poetcentml gyrus

(B)

Superior frontal gyrus

Longitudinal fissure
Middle frontal gyrus
Paracentral lobule
P.recentral gyn:is, "hand knob"
....____ Central su1cus

Postce:ntral gyru.s

'----- P.recentral gyros, "hand knobH

....____ Central sulcus
Postce:ntral gyrus

THE HUMAN CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Axial &edions of the hwnm brain demonstrating infernal forebnin strudlues in TI-weighted magnetic resonan images;
images in (AHR) are anangecl from superior to inferior.
(C)

Superiar frontal.gyms - - Langitwlinal fissure - - -

Middle frontal gyrus

Cingulate sulcus
Cingulate gyrus
Cmpuscallosum, body
Lateral ventricle
Precenfral.gyrus
Central.sukus
Postcentral gyrus
P.recuneus
Intraparietal. sulcus

-----

-----------

-------

Supramargillal. gyrus - Angular gyrus - - -

Central suk:us - - Precentral.gyrus - - Poslt'enlral. gyrus - - -

(D)

Lateral (sylvian) fissure --....,

Werlor frontal gyrus

Longitwlinal fissure
Superiar frontdgyrus
Cingu1ate sul.cus
Ongulate gyrus
Lateral ventricle, an1eri.or hom
Intemal capsule, anterior limb
Septum pellu.c:idum

--....,
-----'
_ ___,
_

____:

--....,
----'
---_ ___,

Corpus c:alli>Bum. genu - - Fcmtix - - - - '

Caudate - - - - '

Lateral ventr:icle, atrium _ ___,

Corpus calbrwn, splenium
Cl\oroid. plexus
Thalamus, lateral posterior nucleus
rntemaJ capsule, posterior limb

----'
----,
----,

Putamen
P.rec:uneus
Illsular gyri
Angular gyrus
Supramarginal gyrus

----"
----'
--

_ ___,

------,

751

752 ATLAS

PLATB3 AXIALMRATLAS (CONTINUED)

Mid.die temporal gyrus

; - - - - - Superior temporal gyros

Optic nerve
Orbital gyri
; - - - - - Cerebral peduncle
Midbrain, tegmentum
Gyros rectu9
; - - - Optic clUasm
Amygdala
Hippocampus
; - - - - - Lateral ventricle, temporal horn
Pe:riaquedu.ctal. gray
'------- Superior collic:ulus
; - - _ _ _ Cerebellum, vermis

'------- Calcarine sulcus

...._____ Lingual gyrus
;--_ _ _ Cuneus
Lateral occipital gyri
...._____ Longitudinal &sure

THE HUMAN CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Axial sectiona of the human brain dancmstrating interul forebrain struchu'e11 in TI-weighted magnetic re80D.aftce images;
images in (A)-(H) ue arranged from superior to inferior.
(G)

Pons, basal region - - - Fourth ventricle -----..~""5'~

Pons, tegmentum - - - -

Mid.die ce:rebellarped.uru:le - - - Cerebellum, hemisphere - - - -

(H)

Medulla oblongata, tegmentum - - -

Fourth ventricle - - Cerebellum, vermis - - -

Inferior cerebellar peduncle - - Cerebellum, hemisphere - - -

753

754 ATLAS

PLATB4 SAGilTALMJlATLAS

(A)

Inferior frontal gyrus

Postcentral sulCWI
Poetcentral gyrus
Central sukus
Precentral gyrus

Intraparieml &ulcus
Angular gyrus
Supramarginal gyrus
Middle temporal gyros
Superior temporal sulcus
Cerebellum, hemisphere
Inferior temporal gyrus
Superior temporal gyros
Lateral (sylvian) fi.e&ure

{B)

Orbital gyri.
Inferior frontal gyrus
Middle frontal gyrus
Superior parietal lobule

Intraparietal &ulc:us
Postcentral sulcus
Postcentral gyros

Central sulc:u&
Precentral gyrus
Precentral sulcus
Insular gyri
Lateral occipital gyri
Cerebellum, prinwy fissure
Cerebellum, hemisphere
Occipitotemporal gyros
Inferior temporal gyrus
Lateral (sylvian) fi.e&ure
Superior temporal gyros

THE HUMAN CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Sagitt.11 section. of the human brain demoultatin.g intemal forebrain. strud1U'es inn-weighted magnetic resonance images;
huges in (A)-(D) are arranged from lateral to medial.

Preameus----------------------~
Parieto-ocdpital sulcus
Postcentral sulcus
Superior &ontal gyros
Precentral wlcus

Prece:nlral gyrus
Central sulcus
Postcentral gyros
Caudate, head
Caudate, tail

Nucleus ac:cumbens
Orbital gyri
Globus pallidus

Hippoc:ampus
Parahippoc:ampal gyros
Internal capsule
Thalamus

-iiiiiiiiiii~

Lateral ventricle, atrium

Fomix
Cerebellum, hemisphere
Lingual gyrus

Cuneus

{D)

Parieto-ocdpitalwlcus ---------------------~
Precuneus gyrus
Marginal branch cf cingulate sulcus
Central sulcus

Paracen.tral lobule
Superior frontal gyrus
Fomix
Cingulate sulcus
Cingulate gyros

Lateral ventricle
Corpus callosum, genu
Orbital gyri
Hypothalamus

Thalamus
Midbrain
Pons

Fourth ventricle
Medulla oblangata
Corpus callosum, splenium
Cerebellum, vennis
Lingual gyrus
Calcarine sukus
Spinal cord

-~~

Cuneusgyrus-----------------------'

755

758

ATLAS

PLATES BRAINSTEMATLAS

(A)

"r::------:==:-::------.,.---------......,---------.-- Optictract

. . . . . ;--~ Lateralgeniculatenucleus

'c,...._--=--=------=---::=:-~~=-----==~--=------

~--:!"~'=:::---3'--:---:--+--

"-==----

Superior colliculus
Pulvinar

-~=----=*""- Medial geniculate nucleus

~-=~~=:::;--~;~f--~~~;...--

Anterolateral system
Mediallemruscus
Periaqueductal gray
Cerebral aqueduct
Raphe nuclei

- - - Oculomotor complex
- - - - Rednucleus
~----- Substantia Ngra, pars compacta
- - - - - - - - Substantia nigra, pill'$ reticulata

-------------~ Oculomotornerve
' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cerebralpeduncle

(B)

Middle cerebellar peduncle

Superior cerebellar peduncle

--':'-- Cerebellum, cortex
~---.l,:,---:.-=!.-- Fourth ventricle
Mesencephalic trigeminal tract and nucleus
Chief sensory nucleus of the trigeminal complex
Trigeminal motor nucleUll
Medial 1emniscus
Trigeminal nerve roots
C.entral tegmental tract
Medial longitudinal fu.sciculus
~--- Tectospinal fibers
' - - - - - - - Pontine nuclei

r - - - - - - Pontocerebellar fibers
"=ii~;-;:.::::::;:;;;~~~~="--------

Corticobulbar and corticospinal fibers

~:-=-S~.....,,..,_.,,..~~~~~-------- Antero~teral.syste:r:n

THE HUMAN CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Tr.mavene sectiana of the bumm b1ainstem acquired. and prepared. to simulate myelln sta1ning. (A) Midbaln. (B) Pons.
(C) Medulla oblonpta. (D) Caudal medulla oblongat..
(C)

Inferiorcerebellarpeduncle------------------~~----~

Extemalcunearenucleus

--------=--...-'~-----::::-'..:.:;...----;~-.:iiiiiiii=i,

Dorsal motor nucleus of vagus - - - -

''-...,

!!!!~--i

.......,./.~
,/

Solitary tract - - Nucleus of the solitary tract

Hypoglos&al nucleus
Nucleus ambiguus

Medial longitudinal fasciculus --~

Tecrospinaltract - -....:.::::

Medial lemniscus

- - -....l!l

Medial vesb"bular nucleus ------'~

Spinal vesll1>ular nucleus -----=
Inferior olivary nucleus - - - -....:...
Medullaryp~amid----~;;;~~

Spinal trigeminal nucleus

Anterolateral system
Spinal trigeminal tract

--------::=~-4~

----------"=~~iiiiiiiJiii="""--

- - - - - - - - - -= -----.....;

(D)

Gracile tract - - - - - - - - - - .
Cuneate tract - - - - - --;;:
Cunearenucleus-----~~-.;::;;

Gradle nucleus - - - - --=-.,,....:;;

Pyramidal decussation

Spinal accessory nucleus ----~~

Anterolateral syetem - - - - --:s
Spinal trigeminal.nucleus, magnocellulaJ layer
Spinal trigeminal tract - - - - Spinal trigeminal nucleus, gelatinosa layer
Dorsal spinocerebellar tract ---------===

757

758

ATLAS

PLATE 6 SPINAL CORD ATLAS

(A)

~----------------------

Dorsalspmocerebellartract

- - - - - - - - Lateral corticosp:inal tract

=-- - - - -

Dorsolateral. fasciculus

~~...-----

Substanlia gelatinosa

~!!!!~~~.--- Gracile tract

~-,.l!~~iiiiiiiiiiiii:iiiiiiir-- Cuneate tract

Dorsal horn
Intermediate gray

Central gray
Medial. longitudinal fasciculus
Tectospinal tract
Ventral horn
,..__ _ Ventral corticospinal tract
~--- Ventral white commissure
~::.._____ Lateral vestibulospinal tract
~-------

Reticulospinal tract

L - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .Anterolateral.syetem

(B)

. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dorsalspmocerebellartract
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lateralcorticospinal tract
~-----------------Dorsolateral.fasciculus

.--------=--------------

Substanlia gelatinosa

~=:;.:;;;:r,,-:::::Oi"'""-------

Gracile tract
~~~~~----- Cuneatetract
~~~----

~*-----

Inte:nnediate gray

C,ent:ral gray

.--,.;!;;--- - -

Clarke's nucleus

~=-----

Dorsal horn
Intennediolateral cell column

5:$;' - - - - -

~"------

~----

Lateralhom

Medial Lo:ngi.tuclinal fasciculus

;;==------Ventral.horn
~==-------- Ventral corticospinal tract
~~-------- Ventral white commissure
l!:'.::---~""""'.c::_---------- Lateralvesb1>ulospinaltract
L - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Reticulospinal tract
L - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Anterolateral.system

THE HUMAN CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Tnnaverse sections of the human spinal c:ord acquired and. prepared to simulate myelln stahdng. (A) Cervical segment.
(B) Thorade segment. CO Lumbar sement. (0) Sacral segment.
(C)

Lareral cortiooepinal tract --------=::;;;;,*'=~~;;;~~

Dorsolamral.fasciculus ------~~~;:,,....:;~~~~~
Substantia gelatinosa -------:!!!!~~~~~~
Gracile tract ----~
Dorsalhom----~

Central gray - - - - 1
Intermediate gray - - - - - ;
Medial longitudinal msciculus - - --;,

Ventralhom ---~
Ventral white oommisSUle - - - - ;
Ventral corticospinal tract ---~
Lateral vestibuloepinal tract - - - - - - "
Reticuloepinal tract - - - - - - " "
Anterolateral. system ------~~

(D)

Dorsolateral. fasciculus
Substantia gelatinosa
Gradle tract
Lateral corti.cospinal tract
Dorsal horn
Central gray
Saaal autonomic nuclei
Intermediate gray
Ventral horn
Ventral white commill9'Ure
Ventral cortiooepinal tract
.Ante:rolateral. system

--------~:...

------------~

----:
- - --::
--~

----..;
-----'

-----'
------

iiiiilfij''-="~,-,

759