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

Why two atoms always represent the same element, Two atoms always represent...

Two atoms always represent the same element if they have. A) the same number of particles in the nucleus. B) The same number of electrons. C) The same number of shells. D) The same

Respiration, explain why expired air contain co2

explain why expired air contain co2

Gene mutatiorns, Gene or point mutations occur when the DNA sequence of a g...

Gene or point mutations occur when the DNA sequence of a gene is altered and the new nucleotide sequence is passed on to the offspring. This occurs either due to addition or deleti

What are the lateral meristems, What are the lateral meristems? Where can t...

What are the lateral meristems? Where can they be found and which kind of plant growth do they promote? The Lateral or the secondary, meristems, are the cambium and the phellog

Onion cells, What is the process of mitosis in onion root tips in a lab

What is the process of mitosis in onion root tips in a lab

Assessment - steps in nursing process, Assessment This includes the da...

Assessment This includes the data collection (nursing history and physical assessment), comparison of data with the normal, and analysis of the data gathered. Systematic an

Mollusca, locomotary organ in mollusca

locomotary organ in mollusca

Animal cloning, Animal Cloning: When entire animals are obtained from s...

Animal Cloning: When entire animals are obtained from somatic cells of an animal, it is known as animal cloning. Cloning is usual in plants but in case of animals only some deg

Techniques of closed heart surgery, Techniques :  Depending on the type of...

Techniques :  Depending on the type of surgery planned, the heart may be approached through median sternotomy, left or right thoracotomy. The problems encountered could be due to

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