4 Neuroanatomy: Draw It to Know It
Know-It Points
Orientational Terminology
■ Th e top of the cerebral hemisphere is dorsal and the
bottom is ventral.
■ Th e anterior aspect of the cerebral hemisphere is
rostral and the posterior aspect is caudal.
■ Th e top of the brainstem is rostral and the bottom is
caudal.
■ Th e anterior aspect of the brainstem is ventral and
the posterior aspect is dorsal.
■ Towards midline is medial and towards the outside is
lateral.
■ Sagittal view is side-on.
■ Coronal view is front-on.
■ Axial view is horizontal.Divisions & Signs
■ Cerebral cortical pyramidal cells are upper motor
neuron.
■ Cranial nerve nuclei and spinal motor neurons are
lower motor neuron.
■ Upper motor neuron injury causes spastic muscle
tone, hyperactive muscle stretch refl exes,
and pathologic refl exes (eg, positive Babinski’s sign).
■ Lower motor neuron injury causes fl accid muscle
tone, hypoactive muscle stretch refl exes, and absent
pathologic refl exes (eg, negative Babinski’s sign).