Summary dissection guide
Meninges: membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord → there are three: the dura
mater, the arachnoid and the pia mater
Subarachnoid space: space between the arachnoid and pia mater, filled with
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
falx cerebri: inner layer of dura mater which folds between the left and right hemisphere
tentorium cerebelli: inner layer of dura mater which folds between cerebrum and
cerebellum
epidural space: space between dura and cranial bones
subdural space: space between dura and arachnoid
sinus: endothelium lined spaces between the inner and outer layer of the dura → largest =
superior sagittal sinus
Circle of willis
,Telencephalon: frontal and temporal lobes
Diencephalon: hypothalamus, optic chiasm, optic nerves, optic tract, hypophysis (pituitary
gland), mammillary bodies
Mesencephalon: cerebral peduncles, oculomotor nerves(III), trochlear nerves (IV)
Metencephalon: pons, middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP), trigeminal nerve (V), abducens
nerves (VI), facial (VII), vestibulocochlear (VIII)
, Myelencephalon (medulla oblongata): anterior median fissure, pyramidal tracts, olive
(relay center), inferior cerebellar peduncle (ICP), hypoglossal nerve (XII), glossopharyngeal
(IX), vagus (X), cranial part of the accessory nerve (XII), spinal part of the accessory nerve
(XI)
Tectum: consists of the superior and inferior colliculi which are important visual reflex center
and reflex and relay center for for auditory information respectively
Tegmentum: lies in the mesencephalon and contains a number of brain areas (red nucleus,
substantia nigra etc.)
Posterior commissure: ‘roof’ of the entrance of the cerebral aqueduct
Anterior commissure: connects the left and right amygdaloid bodies as well as other
medial temporal regions
Fornix: contains hippocampal fibers on their way to the mammillary bodies and other parts
of the hypothalamus
Corpus callosum: main commissure between both hemispheres containing about 300
million fibers
septum pellucidum: separation of both lateral ventricles (between fornix and anterior part
of corpus callosum)
cingulate gyrus: surrounding of the corpus callosum
neocortex/isocortex: 6 layers
allocortex: 5 or less different layers
lateral ventricle: hole in the brain where the hippocampus and corpus callosum lay around
Basal ganglia: Caudate nucleus, globus pallidus and the putamen
Meninges: membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord → there are three: the dura
mater, the arachnoid and the pia mater
Subarachnoid space: space between the arachnoid and pia mater, filled with
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
falx cerebri: inner layer of dura mater which folds between the left and right hemisphere
tentorium cerebelli: inner layer of dura mater which folds between cerebrum and
cerebellum
epidural space: space between dura and cranial bones
subdural space: space between dura and arachnoid
sinus: endothelium lined spaces between the inner and outer layer of the dura → largest =
superior sagittal sinus
Circle of willis
,Telencephalon: frontal and temporal lobes
Diencephalon: hypothalamus, optic chiasm, optic nerves, optic tract, hypophysis (pituitary
gland), mammillary bodies
Mesencephalon: cerebral peduncles, oculomotor nerves(III), trochlear nerves (IV)
Metencephalon: pons, middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP), trigeminal nerve (V), abducens
nerves (VI), facial (VII), vestibulocochlear (VIII)
, Myelencephalon (medulla oblongata): anterior median fissure, pyramidal tracts, olive
(relay center), inferior cerebellar peduncle (ICP), hypoglossal nerve (XII), glossopharyngeal
(IX), vagus (X), cranial part of the accessory nerve (XII), spinal part of the accessory nerve
(XI)
Tectum: consists of the superior and inferior colliculi which are important visual reflex center
and reflex and relay center for for auditory information respectively
Tegmentum: lies in the mesencephalon and contains a number of brain areas (red nucleus,
substantia nigra etc.)
Posterior commissure: ‘roof’ of the entrance of the cerebral aqueduct
Anterior commissure: connects the left and right amygdaloid bodies as well as other
medial temporal regions
Fornix: contains hippocampal fibers on their way to the mammillary bodies and other parts
of the hypothalamus
Corpus callosum: main commissure between both hemispheres containing about 300
million fibers
septum pellucidum: separation of both lateral ventricles (between fornix and anterior part
of corpus callosum)
cingulate gyrus: surrounding of the corpus callosum
neocortex/isocortex: 6 layers
allocortex: 5 or less different layers
lateral ventricle: hole in the brain where the hippocampus and corpus callosum lay around
Basal ganglia: Caudate nucleus, globus pallidus and the putamen
