Brain and Spinal Cord

Which term refers to the part of the body that is close towards the midline?

What is the appropriate term for a slice that shows the left and right sides of the brain, as well as the dorsal and ventral areas?

In which plane can you see the rostral to caudal sides?

Which plane allows you to see the top of the ears, but not the dorsal to ventral orientation?

What does contralateral refer to in the nervous system?

What is the term for same-sided functions in the nervous system?

Which plane is a slice along the long axis of the brain, down the midline?

Understanding the Different Views of the Brain and Spinal Cord

The brain and spinal cord can be sliced along different planes for study.
In an axial slice of the brain, you can see the left and right sides, but not the dorsal and ventral sides.
In an axial slice of the brain, you can see the anterior and posterior sides.
The cross section of the spinal cord is also known as the transverse plane.
The midline is the line that runs down the middle of the body.
Medial refers to something being close to the midline, while lateral refers to something away from the midline.
Contralateral refers to when functions in the nervous system cross sides.
Same-sided functions are called ipsilateral.
The brain can be divided into superior, middle, and inferior sections in different planes.
The brain is usually studied in slices to better understand its three-dimensional structure.
The brain can be sliced along the coronal or transverse plane.
The sagittal plane is a slice along the long axis of the brain, down the midline.
The axial or horizontal plane allows you to see the top of the ears, but not the dorsal to ventral orientation.

Test your knowledge on the different views of the brain and spinal cord with this quiz. Learn about the different planes of study, terminology, and functions of the nervous system.