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

Explain diagnostic approach to congenital heart disease, Explain Diagnostic...

Explain Diagnostic Approach to Congenital Heart Disease ? It is often easy to recognise the presence of CHD in older children and adults. As in any other form of heart disease

Annelida, what are the unique characteristics of a flatworm

what are the unique characteristics of a flatworm

Causes of noise pollution, 1.      Road traffic:  of all the sources of noi...

1.      Road traffic:  of all the sources of noise pollution, road traffic is the most prevalent and perhaps the most damaging source of pollution. More people are exposed to noise

Is the embryonic development in birds indirect or direct, Q. Is the embryon...

Q. Is the embryonic development in birds indirect or direct? The embryonic development is direct there is no larval stage. Q. What are the predominating chemical compounds

Detritus food chains, Detritus Food Chains Detritus food chains begin ...

Detritus Food Chains Detritus food chains begin with dead organic matter which is an important source of energy. A large amount of organic matter is contributed by the death o

Green leaves give off oxygen in sunlight, Green leaves give off oxygen in s...

Green leaves give off oxygen in sunlight Place some water weed under a funnel in a beaker of water reverse a test tube full of water over the tube of the funnel. Leave the appa

What do you meant by medical transcriptionist, Question 1: Describe the...

Question 1: Describe the process of hearing. The ear consists of three basic parts - the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Discuss the process of hearing

Aeration, Aeration is the process on which water and air come into contact....

Aeration is the process on which water and air come into contact. It is carried out by spraying water in the form of spray or fountain over air. Aeration achieves the following obj

Explain starch gelatinization, Starch gelatinization Undamaged starch ...

Starch gelatinization Undamaged starch granules are insoluble in cold water but can imbibe water  reversibly i.e. they can swell slightly and then return to their original siz

List the stages of process of behaviour change, Q. List the stages of proce...

Q. List the stages of process of behaviour change? Stages of behaviour change process: · Unawareness · Awareness · Acquiring knowledge · Motivation · Trial

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