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The human central nervous system or neuraxis
consists of the brain (encephalon) and the spinal
cord (medulla spinalis). The brain is encased by
the skull; the spinal cord lies within the spinal
canal, extending from the foramen magnum to
the level of the second lumbar vertebra. Globally,
the brain can be subdivided into the cerebrum,
the cerebellum and the truncus cerebri or brain
stem (Fig. 1.1). On the basis of its ontogeny the
brain can be divided into three main parts, the
rhombencephalon or hindbrain, the mesencephalon
or midbrain and the prosencephalon or
forebrain (Fig. 1.2). The rhombencephalon classically
includes the medulla oblongata or myelencephalon
and the metencephalon. The medulla
oblongata represents an expanded rostral extension
of the spinal cord. The metencephalon
forms a large ventral protrusion, known as the
pons, whereas its much expanded dorsal portion
is differentiated into the cerebellum. The isthmus
is the rostralmost portion of the hindbrain [1],
bordering on the midbrain. The mesencephalon
is a short wedge-shaped segment of the brain between
the rhombencephalon and the prosencephalon.
Together, the medulla oblongata, pons
and mesencephalon form the brain stem.
This book has become a classic in its field. The outstanding illustrative material still represents its main feature: 375 halftones and line drawings comprise a complete and convenient atlas for the interpretation of neuroimaging studies. Yet the text of this fourth edition has been thoroughly revised and expanded. Fifteen newly written chapters introduce illustrations of the gross anatomy, the blood supply and the microstructure of the central nervous system and deal with the development, topography and functional anatomy of the spinal cord, brain stem and cerebellum, diencephalons and telencephalon. This new edition provides a clear and reliable guide to the structural and functional organization of the human central nervous system and its broad basis in descriptive and experimental neuroscience. Intended primarily for students of medicine and psychology at all levels, the book is also informative reading for practicing neurobiologists. |
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