Brain Stem Section

Description

A cross section through the brainstem, revealing the internal structure of the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain. Cranial nerve nuclei are positioned within the tegmentum, and the major ascending and descending tracts pass through their characteristic locations. The cerebral aqueduct (of Sylvius) connects the third and fourth ventricles. The brainstem contains the nuclei for cranial nerves III through XII, the reticular formation that regulates consciousness and arousal, and the cardiovascular and respiratory centers in the medulla. Every signal between the brain and body passes through here. Brainstem anatomy is a high-yield topic in neuroanatomy and clinical neurology. Lesion localization in the brainstem depends on understanding which structures share each cross-sectional level. Medical advisory board reviewed. Clean geometry for rendering, real-time, and 3D printing.