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

What is the main biological process, Q. What is the main biological process...

Q. What is the main biological process that consumes carbon dioxide? The major biological process that consumes carbon dioxide is photosynthesis.

Enzyme specificity, Enzyme Specificity Enzymes play a critical role wit...

Enzyme Specificity Enzymes play a critical role within biological systems through helping reactions to occur beneath the commonly mild conditions in that organisms live. Enzyme

Segmentation - metazoa, Segmentation - Metazoa Segmentation or metamer...

Segmentation - Metazoa Segmentation or metamerism is the division of the body into smaller transverse compartments along the anterior-posterior axis. Segmentation is widesprea

Draw decanol, Draw decanol, plamitic acid (C16:0 fatty acid) and the result...

Draw decanol, plamitic acid (C16:0 fatty acid) and the resulting wax ester generated by a dehydration reaction between both molecules.

Explain the parental gametes and recombinant gametes, In genetic recombinat...

In genetic recombination by crossing over what is the difference between parental gametes and recombinant gametes? Parental gametes are those gametes that keep the original lin

Studying leaf arrangements, Studying leaf arrangements Observe as many ...

Studying leaf arrangements Observe as many growing plants as possible by looking down on them from above. Draw sketches of the dissimilar patterns of leaf arrangement.

Explain advantages of periodontal ligament, Explain periodontal ligament ...

Explain periodontal ligament The absence of the periodontal ligament and the presence of osseointegration instead of the gomphosis joint leads to the difference in movement un

Compute the osmolarity of a solution, Calculate the osmolarity of a solutio...

Calculate the osmolarity of a solution of 5% dextrose in water (dextrose = glucose, molec. Wt. = 180).

Define the symptoms in blood of pernicious anaemia, Define the Symptoms in ...

Define the Symptoms in Blood of Pernicious Anaemia? Blood: The RBC count is low-1.5-2.5 million per mm 3 (normal range is 4.5- 5.5 million per mm 3 ). The average diameter o

Show the properties of food, The food components are in the form of solids,...

The food components are in the form of solids, in solutions or in the form of colloids - sols or emulsions. The properties of these components determine the quality of food. 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