Dissectible Me 5 minute anatomy

Pupillary light reflex

The pupillary light reflex can let you test the optic nerve, midbrain and oculomotor nerve just by shining a light into someone's eye. Let's talk about the anatomy and how this works. 

External ear anatomy

Those folds and lumps of the external ear have all got names. Let's feel the concha, tragus, antitragus, helix, antihelix and opening of the external acoustic meatus together. 

Acoustic reflex

The acoustic reflex is a mechanism that protects the ear from loud sounds. It is also called the stapedial reflex, middle-ear-muscle reflex and auditory reflex, among other names. What is the neuroanatomical pathway of this reflex, how does it work, how are the smallest bone and muscle in the body involved, and how can it be useful in determining problems with hearing?

Hypothalamus anatomy and functions

The hypothalamus, as its name suggests, lies in the brain inferior and anterior to the thalamus. It is a central structure in modulating many autonomic functions and homeostasis. What does that mean, and what does it do?

Fractured neck of femur anatomy

What do we mean by the neck of the femur and why do we worry (more than usual) about a fracture here? 

Blood brain barrier

The blood brain barrier describes how the endothelial cells of the capillaries in the brain are tightly stuck together by tight junctions, wrapped in the feet of astrocytes and lined by a basement lamina. This stops most molecules from moving between the blood and the brain through any gaps. Instead, transporters are needed to transport molecules across the endothelial cells. Why does this happen in the brain? How does ethanol get to the brain? 

Ventricular system of the brain

The brain has spaces inside it, interconnected and filled with cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid is continually produced here and flows from chamber to chamber, sometimes through narrow passageways, until it leaves to surround the brain and spinal cord. 

Cerebrospinal fluid

Cerebrospinal fluid surrounds the brain, brainstem and spinal cord, it fills spaces within them, is continually produced and drained away, but why? 

Elbow muscles

The muscles that flex and extend the elbow joint. Biceps brachii, brachialis, triceps brachii, anconeus and brachioradialis. What they attach to, how they move the bones and the nerves that innervate them in 5 minutes(ish). 

Brain death neuroanatomy

The term "brain death" can be used to refer to irreparable damage of the brainstem or cerebrum. By considering the differing functional anatomy of the brainstem and the cerebrum we can more clearly understand what type of injury is being referred to when this term is used in relation to a particular person. Functional neuroanatomy also helps us understand why movement of the eyes, groaning, and even movement of the limbs can still occur in some cases of brain death.