Sectional anatomy of

encephalon

Basic elements of sectional geometry

Although classic definition of section refers only to
the intersection of a surface with a plane, for the
anatomical study, the sections can be considered
as geometrical objects, surfaces and lines.
Thereby, we consider that:

The intersection of an object (three-dimensional) with a plane
generates a surface (two-dimensional) - for example:
parenchimatous organs, fusiform muscles;
The intersection of a surface (two-dimensional) with a plane
generates a line (one-dimensional) for example: the diaphragm,
serous, meninges;
The intersection of a line (one-dimensional) with a plane generates
a point (zero-dimensional) for example: vessels, nerves.
For the orientation of sections, the main axes and orientation planes
of the human body must be studied. In a three-dimensional space
(as the one used in human anatomy), from a certain point, three
straight axes, perpendicular to each other can be drawn, which
determine two by two a plane, the third one being perpendicular to
this plane.

Thereby:

- Median plane contains vertical and anterior-posterior axes and is
perpendicular to the transverse axis
- Frontal plane contains vertical and transverse axes and is
perpendicular to the anterior-posterior axis
- Horizontal plane contains transverse and antero-posterior axes and
is perpendicular to the vertical axis

In the study of human anatomy, the most frequent sections are the
ones drawn through these planes.
Median section through encephalon
Due to the fact that the median plane is the single symmetry plane of the
human body, the median section is a single one
Other standard sections, being perpendicular to the symmetry plane, are
symmetrical
Median section is the only standard asymmetric one
So, it is easy to recognize it, because of the characteristic shape of corpus
callosum (with its rostrum, genu, body and splenium) and of cerebellar
vermis (Arbor vitae- the tree of life)
We study:

- the three levels of brain stem (medulla oblongata, pons and
mesencephalon),
- the 4
th
ventricle with superior medullary velum and inferior medullary velum
- vermiss lobulation (archicerebellum, paleocerebellum, neocerebellum),
- 3
rd
ventricle (with thalamus, hypothalamus and epithalamus)
- the gyrations and fissures of cerebral hemisphere - medial aspect
On sections of the entire cephalic extremity, there can be observed:

- paranasal sinuses of median bones (anterior frontal sinus, and sphenoid
sinus in the center of the section, under the hypophysis lodge)
- the three levels of pharynx (nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx),
having anterior the corresponding cavities:
- nasal fossa with conchas and their meati (superior,
middle and inferior meatus)
- oral cavity with vestibule (anterior)
- isthmus faucium with tonsil and palatine velum (velum
palatinum)- posterior,
- larynx with the vestibule, vestibular fold, ventricle, vocal
cord and infraglotic cavity
Frontal sections through encephalon
Are symmetric sections
In theory, there are infinity sections drawn perpendicular
to the anterior-posterior axis, but, practically, anterior,
middle and posterior sections are used.
For their identification and orientation, we use the cavities inside
encephalon (cerebral ventricles):

- In anterior sections, the anterior horns of lateral ventricles appear as two
closely related cavities and separated by the narrow pellucid septum.

- In middle sections, a three cavities system with a T disposition is
observed: two horizontal, superiorly located (lateral ventricles) and one
vertical, narrow, underneath them (III ventricle); inferior, on the medial side
of the temporal lobe, the hippocampus is located, with its particular shape
(sea-horse shape)

- In posterior sections, inferiorly, brain stem is located (with peduncles,
substantia nigra and lower, the pons) and cerebellum with its above situated
cerebellar tentorium (tentorium cerebelli), which separates it from cerebral
occipital lobes with the posterior horns of lateral ventricles.
Anterior frontal sections through encephalon
Middle frontal sections through encephalon
Posterior frontal sections through encephalon
On frontal sections of the entire cephalic extremity, one can notice:

- ethmoidal cells, nasal fossa with their conchas and meati

as well as their relations with the neighboring cavities of the face:

- oral cavity with the vestibule and dental arches;

- laterally: the orbit, maxillary sinuses, temporal and infratemporal fossa.
Horizontal sections through encephalon
The skull and the encephalon contained within, have an ovoid
shape, prolonged anterior. So, we recognize horizontal sections by
their diameter, parallel with the symmetry axis (anterior-posterior),
which is larger than the one perpendicular to the axis (transverse).

In theory, there are infinity sections drawn perpendicular to the
vertical axis. But practically, superior, middle and inferior sections
are used.
For their identification and orientation, we use, once more, the cavities
inside encephalon (lateral ventricles):

- In superior sections, ventricles are not included, or, there can be noticed, at
most, their central part (parietal); orientation is achieved only by the ovoid
shape: the narrowest pole (frontal) is anterior located and the broadest
(occipital), posterior.
- In middle sections, anterior (frontal) horns of lateral ventricles are observed,
as comma shaped cavities, closely related to each other and separated by
a double, narrow wall (pellucid septum); posterior (occipital) horns are
triangular and apart.
- In inferior sections, cerebellum is posteriorly located (first one can observe the
culmen of vermis and then the hemispheres), and anteriorly, we find inferior
(temporal) horns of lateral ventricles.
Encephalon horizontal sections
In inferior horizontal sections of the entire cephalic extremity, are observed:

- frontal and sphenoid sinuses (in pairs, although the thin separation wall is
asymmetric)
- ethmoidal cells
- nasal fossa
- oral cavity with vestibule and dental arches
- pharynx
- lateral, are observed: - the orbit
- maxillary sinuses
- temporal and infratemporal fossa

Both on frontal and horizontal sections, are noticed the relations between
cerebral ventricles and grey matter of the brain
Lateral to lateral ventricles, there are the caudate nuclei (nucleus):

- the head is found lateral to the anterior horn
- the body- lateral to the central part
- the tail- lateral to the inferior horn;

Posterior horn does not have relations with basal nuclei.
Lateral to the 3rd ventricle, we find the thalamus.

After it, there is an alternation of white and grey substances:

- internal capsule
- lentiform nucleus
- external capsule
- claustrum
- extreme capsule
- insular cortex
Clinical correlations
Clinical correlations
Clinical correlations