The brain (lab part)

central sulcus

central sulcus

The central location runs from the longitudinal fissure to the lateral sulcus and serves as a boundary between the anterior frontal lobe and posterior parietal lobe

Frontal lobe

a large section of the cerebrum that exists anterior to the central sulcus, responsible for controlling skeletal muscle movement, problem-solving solving and decision making

lateral sulcus

The long division exists on the lateral aspect of the cerebrum in between the superior frontal and parietal lobes and inferior to the temporal lobe

Longitudinal fissure

this prominent division exists along the midsagittal plane, runs along the entire length of the cerebrum, and divides the cerebrum into the left and right hemispheres

Occipital lobe

this is the most posterior section of the cerebrum. It is responsible for processing visual information.

Parietal lobe

this is a large section of the cerebrum that resides posterior to the central sulcus. It is responsible for processing somatic sensation.

Postcentral gyrus

Named for its location just posterior to the central sulcus. It is colored dark blue and is known as the primary somatosensory cortex. All somatic sensory information first arrives at this gyrus before being processed by other portions of the cerebrum. 

Precentral gyrus

Named for its location just anterior to the central sulcus. It is colored in dark red and is known as the primary motor cortex, responsible for starting action potentials associated with skeletal muscle contraction.

Temporal lobe

this is a large section of the lateral cerebrum that exists inferior to the lateral sulcus. Most of the temporal lobe is colored in some shade of orange. It is responsible for processing auditory information and smell. 

Transverse fissure

this relatively horizontal division exists between the cerebrum and cerebellum

Cerebellum

This posterior structure exists inferior to the cerebrum and has thinner folds of tissue compared to the cerebrum. In this model, it is colored in a darker shade than the cerebrum. 

Folia

the folds of nervous tissue in the cerebellum. Because the inside white matter of the cerebellum is named the arbor vitae - "tree of life" (not shown) - the folds of nervous tissue are likened to the leaves, or "foliage" of the arbor vitae

Mammillary bodies

these two round structures on the diencephalon are located just posterior to the optic chiasm (not labeled). These structures are associated with memory

Medulla oblongata

the most inferior portion of the brain stem. This eventually narrows into the inferior spinal cord

Midbrain/ cerebral peduncles

the arrow is specifically pointing to the cerebral peduncles, a structure of the overall midbrain. The cerebral peduncles, as the name implies, carries information from the cerebrum towards the inferior portions of the brain.

Olives

these small oval-shaped structures can be found on the anterior aspect of the medulla oblongata lateral to the medullary pyramids

Pons

the middle structure of the brainstem. The exterior of the pons shows horizontal striations. 

Vermis

the most medial structure of cerebellum. Named after its resemblance to a worm

Basal nuclei

the basal nuclei are egg-shaped structures inside the cerebrum. It is one of the few inner cerebral structures comprised of gray matter. The basal nuclei are associated with the coordination of motion.

Cerebral cortex

the cerebral cortex actually refers to the entire outer portion of the cerebrum. Made up of the gray matter (notice its darker coloration compared to the inner portions of the cerebrum), the cerebral cortex is main comprised of somas and dendrites.

Corpus callosum

A central and deep structure, this is one of the few structures of the cerebrum that physically and functionally connects the left and right hemispheres of the cerebrum. Underneath the green structures that run anterior/posterior, the corpus callosum contains white striations that run laterally. These striations are the axons of neurons that connect the left and right hemispheres.

Insula

this deeper portion of the cerebrum is normally not visible, as it hides deep to the cerebrum's lateral sulcus. It lies just lateral to the basal nuclei. It contains the gustatory cortex, which is responsible for processing the sensation of taste

Lateral ventricles

one of the brains empty spaces known as the ventricles, these two ventricles exist within the cerebrum. In this model, the lateral ventricle is occupied by a clear-blue structure that represents the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that exists inside the ventricle.

Arbor vitae

literally translating into the "tree of life," this refers to all of the white matter inside of the cerebellum. The cerebellum's white matter arranges itself in a manner that resembles the trunk and branches of a tree. 

Cerebral aqueduct

This thin space exists inside of midbrain (between the corpora quadrigemina and cerebral peduncles) and connects the superior third ventricle to the inferior fourth ventricle. 

Corpora quadrigemina

this literally translates into the "quadruplet bodies," referring to four small circular structures that appear identical in structure (only two are shown in this model). The corpora quadrigemina are found on the posterior aspect of the midbrain, usually hidden by the cerebellum. They can be further divided into the following: Superior/ inferior colliculi

Superior colliculi

as the name implies, these are the two superior structures of the corpora quadrigemina (only one is shown). The superior colliculi are associated with coordinating visual reflexes

Inferior colliculi

as the name implies, these are the two inferior structures of the corpora quadrigemina (only one is shown). The inferior colliculi are associated with relaying auditory information.

Fornix

this structure appears as a thin curved white structure in the center of the brain. It sits just superior to the thalamus and inferior to the septum pellucidum

Fourth ventricle

this empty space exists in between the pons and cerebellum and is typically triangular in shape. 

Hypothalamus

this triangular structure exists anterior and inferior to the thalamus. It is partially responsible for controlling the autonomic nervous system.

Intermediate mass

this structure is a small brown dot that exists in the center of the thalamus

Medulla oblongata

the most inferior portion of the brain stem. This eventually narrows into the inferior spinal cord

Optic chiasm

this is where the two optic nerves physically merge. In this view, we see the cross section of the chiasm as a white circle just anterior to the hypothalamus.

Optic nerve

this peripheral nerve juts out anteriorly from the optic chiasm

Pineal gland

this small gland exists just superior to the corpora quadrigemina and posterior to the thalamus. It is colored pink in this model. It is responsible for releasing melatonin, a hormone associated with the feeling of sleepiness.

Septum pellucidum

This flat structure exists in between the septum pellucidum and fornix. it serves as a wall ("septum" = wall) between the two lateral ventricles. The word "pellucidum" refers to the fact that this structure is normally more transparent. The model tries to depict this by coloring this structure in a light gray

Thalamus/ third ventricle

Although the arrow points at a specific point, the thalamus is an egg-shaped structure in the middle of the brain, just inferior to the fornix. The thalamus is responsible for relaying sensory information to their appropriate lobes. The third ventricle, one of the brain's empty spaces, exists between the two sections of the thalamus, which is why it shares the same tag.

Idle cerebellar peduncle

this structure is shown on the anterior aspect of the cerebellum. Its function is to physically and functionally connect the cerebellum to the pons

Arachnoid

also known as the arachnoid mater. Tagged on the right image, the model shows the arachnoid model only on the right hemisphere. It has been removed on the left hemisphere in order to show deeper structures. It is named due to its resemblance to cobwebs.

Arachnoid villi/ graulatioms

these appear as clusters of small white dots within the superior sagittal sinus. These structures are pockets of arachnoid mater that have pierced the dura mater in order to interact with the superior sagittal sinus. Since there is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the subarachnoid space (a space between the arachnoid and pia maters - not labeled), the arachnoid villi/granulations function as a means to return water and nutrients back into the bloodstream inside of the superior sagittal sinus. 

Dura mater

this is the outermost meninge covering and protecting the brain. Most of the dura mater has been removed in order to show deeper structures, leaving behind only the most medial portions of the dura mater. 

Falx cerebri

this is one of the dural folds - structures made by folding the dura mater into one of the major spaces in the brain. Specifically the falx cerebri exists in the longitudinal fissure of the cerebrum. It shown in the top-left image removed from the brain to demonstrate the breadth of its shape and the vessels embedded within it.

Inferior sagittal sinus

Sinus in this context refers to the major veins that drain blood from the brain and meninges. This specific sinus is named because it is the inferior of the two sinuses that exists within the falx cerebri, which acts as a sagittal plane. It is tagged in the top-left image to show its location within the falx cerebri.

Pia mater

this is because the pia mater lies directly on the nervous tissue and is normally clear in color, similar to plastic cling wrap. 

Superior sagittal sinus

Sinus in this context refers to the major veins that drain blood from the brain and meninges. This specific sinus is named because it is the superior of the two sinuses that exists within the falx cerebri, which acts as a sagittal plane. The superior sagittal sinus is tagged twice. It is tagged in the top-left image to show its location within the falx cerebri. It is tagged on the right-image to show its medial and superior location as well as its interaction with the arachnoid villi/granulations.

Choroid plexus

Specifically the choroid plexus of the third ventricle is tagged. This blue structure exists in the third ventricle, thus it lays on top of the thalamus. It is comprised of ependymal cells that draw out water and nutrients to create the cerebrospinal fluid. 

Pituitary gland

an endocrine gland, the pituitary is located inferior to the thalamus and hypothalamus (not labeled). It is actually two glands in one (the anterior and posterior pituitary glands), with both glands playing major roles in controlling many of the bodies autonomic functions.

Tentorium cerebelli

this is one of the dural folds - structures made by folding the dura mater into one of the major spaces in the brain. Specifically the tentorium cerebelli exists in the transverse fissure between the cerebrum and cerebellum.