UBC Neuroanatomy Syllabus

Intro to CNS Cranial Nerves / Brainstem Cortex

Objectives

Identify the anatomical planes of orientation when looking at the CNS.
Identify the lobes of the brain and define their boundaries.
Describe the gross anatomy of the spinal cord (enlargements, length).
Identify spinal ganglia, spinal nerves, motor and sensory roots.
Identify the meningeal layers that cover the spinal cord.
Explain the organization of the ventricular system and the circulation of CSF.
Describe the major components of the brainstem and cerebellum.
Name the cranial nerves associated with the brainstem.
Identify the three meningeal layers that surround the brain and the spaces between them.
Describe the location and organization of white and gray matter in general terms.
Orient yourself to the location of deep structures in cross section – this is only an introduction, do not memorize structures for now!
Define and differentiate between projection fibers, association fibers and commissural fibers.

Review the cranial nerves on whole brain and brainstem specimens.
Correlate the surface anatomy to cross-sectional anatomy in the brainstem.
Understand the neuroanatomy of the visual system and eye movements.
Describe the autonomic innervation of the eye and how it relates to eye reflexes.
Apply your knowledge to clinical cases.

Describe and localize the lobes of the cerebral cortex and their major components.
Compare and contrast the functional components of the right and left hemispheres. Localize the functional areas.
Describe the location of the major subcortical fiber bundles.
Describe the tracts running through the internal capsule, their location within the internal capsule, and the blood supply to the internal capsule.
Describe the function of the thalamus as the gatekeeper to the cortex. Describe which systems relay through the thalamus.
Describe the blood supply to the forebrain.