Anatomical coordinate systems, Biology

Assignment Help:
Brain anatomical coordinate systems are the first potential point of confusion, as there are different ones
due to the fact that research is conducted in different species where different conventions have been used. One of the coordinate systems is based on naming areas based on whether they are located closer to the head of the animal (rostral) vs. the tail of the animal (caudal) and, as the other axis, whether the area is more towards the back (dorsal) or the abdomen (ventral). In humans, there is no straight line from the forehead to the “tail” but rather the human brain has evolved in a curved structure. As a result of this, the coordinate system is also curved


Another coordinate system that is used in cognitive neuroscience has anterior-posterior as one and superior-inferior as the other axis. This coordinate system is not curved. In both coordinate systems, there is a third coordinate that runs from one ear to the other, and brain structures are further defined based on whether they are on the left or the right side of the midpoint between the ears. To define relative positions of brain structures along this dimension, the terms lateral (closer to the surface/ear) and medial (deeper in the brain/closer to midline) are used. To add to the confusion, there is yet another coordinate system in neuroimaging that communicates the directions along which the images slicing through the three-dimensional brain volume are oriented. Sagittal refers to images that are taken orthogonal to the left-right axis of the brain (i.e., looking at the brain from the side). Axial (or transverse) refers to images that are taken orthogonal to the superior-inferior axis and, finally, coronal implies that the image has been taken orthogonally to the anterior-posterior axis. The left and right side of the images are often marked due to there being two conventions: in the radiological convention, left side of the brain on axial / coronal images is located on the right side of the image and vice versa (i.e., as if you were looking at the image from the bottom rather than from the top of the head in axial images). In the neurological convention, the left side of the brain is on the left of the image, and the right side of the brain is on the right of the image.


Knowing these coordinate systems is useful when reading through cognitive neuroscience literature, and helps one to understand where things are located with respect to one another. In the following, an introduction to major divisions of brain anatomy is first described, followed by more detailed description of the structures and brain areas considered as most relevant for perceptual and cognitive functions.

Related Discussions:- Anatomical coordinate systems

Need for insulin in management of type 1 diabetes mellitus, Q. Need for ins...

Q. Need for insulin in management of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus? Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus occurs when the body's immune system destroys beta cells. Beta cells produce insulin, a

Subphylum mastigophora, Subphylum Mastigophora One or more flagella p...

Subphylum Mastigophora One or more flagella present in adult stages; autotrophic or heterotrophic nutrition; reproduction usually asexual by fission. Class - Phytomasti

Explain the use of benzoates acid, Q. Explain the use of Benzoates acid? ...

Q. Explain the use of Benzoates acid? Benzoic acid, sodium benzoate and the parahydroxy esters (parabens) are used as preservatives. Benzoic acid and its sodium salt, sodium be

How yersinia enterolytica infection occurs, Normal 0 false fa...

Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 How Yersinia enterol

Define the nutrient requirements during trauma, Define the Nutrient Require...

Define the Nutrient Requirements during Trauma? Nutritional assessment of the trauma patient is done to determine energy and protein requirements. Basal energy requirements are

Causes of apomixis, Causes of Apomixis Apomictic species are generall...

Causes of Apomixis Apomictic species are generally hybrids or polyploids, as a consequence, there is irregular meiosis. Apomixis appears to be controlled by a set of genes. T

Relation between coronary artery and myocardial supply, Q. Can you explain ...

Q. Can you explain Relation between Coronary Artery and Myocardial supply? Ans. There is a well-established relation between a given epicardial coronary artery and its myo

How water balance take place in human body, How Water Balance Take Place in...

How Water Balance Take Place in Human Body? The amount of fluid in the body is tightly controlled because imbalance can be devastating. In a normal individual, the maintenance

Define antioxidant action of polyphenols, Define Antioxidant Action of Poly...

Define Antioxidant Action of Polyphenols? The properties of Polyphenols due to which they have been identified to act as antioxidant is because they: - act as termi

Is neuron a synapses onto neuron b, Is Neuron A synapses onto Neuron B ...

Is Neuron A synapses onto Neuron B Consider Neuron B in the frog central nervous system whose plasma membrane has a newly discovered ligand-gated ionotropic receptor, named the

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd