Educational brain, 2 parts

Anatomically, the model shows the human brain, which can generally be divided into the cerebrum (cerebrum), the cerebellum (cerebellum) and the brain stem (truncus encephali).



These 3 structures are clearly separated via different colors, but the difference between gray and white matter cannot be seen on this model (however seen in the cerebellum).



In the cerebrum (telencephalon and diencephalon), the lobes of the brain, as well as the thalamus and hypothalamus (and the pituitary gland) are primarily seen


In the cerebellum, the vermis cerebelli and the cerebellar hemispheres (hemisperium cerebelli) are seen


The brainstem shows its 3 parts (the midbrain, the pons and the medulla oblongata) as well as the apparent origins of the cranial nerves using Roman numerals (also called the cranial nerves)


Other structures are also seen, such as the brainstem, the fornix, a bit of the ventricular system and the first 2 cranial nerves (the olfactory and optic nerves), which do not originate from the brainstem


Colored areas



The cerebrum, cerebellum and brainstem are seen in different colours. In addition, important areas in the cerebrum are shown with different colors. These are, for example, the different lobes of the brain, the primary motor area in the frontal lobe, the area for the primary sensory function in the parietal lobe and the area for primary visual perception in the occipital lobe.





The limbic system



Many of our customers ask about the limbic system in connection with the purchase of brain models. Hence this description.



The limbic system includes various anatomical structures in the central nervous system (CNS), and is primarily responsible for emotional functions such as anxiety, aggressiveness, mood, memory and social adaptability. Clinically, it is therefore often related to psychiatric disorders.



The limbic system includes, among other things amygdala, hippocampus, gyrus parahippocampalis, hypothalamus, fornix, corpus mammillare, the prefrontal cerebral cortex and the monoaminergic systems of the brainstem. The list is quite a bit longer - especially because numerous fiber connections connect the limbic structures. Many customers ask in particular about the amygdala and hippocampus (which is why they are mentioned first in this section).



NB: In this brain model, neither the amygdala nor the hippocampus can be seen, but some of the other limbic structures can be seen (e.g. the fornix).



The amygdala is involved in anxiety and emotional coloring of sensory impressions. It lies as an almond-shaped nucleus IN FRONT of the hippocampus in the anterior pole of the temporal lobe (amygdala and hippocampus are therefore separate).



The hippocampus is involved in memory. It lies as an irregular twisted structure in the medial part of the temporal lobe.

If one of these 2 structures is to be seen clearly on a brain model, the brain tissue must be shown in a so-called frontal/coronal section through the temporal lobe. The frontal incision roughly corresponds to the incision direction "from ear to ear".



Because the amygdala is IN FRONT of the hippocampus (roughly speaking further forward "toward the forehead"), both of these structures can only be seen on a brain model if the model includes at least 2 frontal sections through the temporal lobe - or if the brain model is partially transparent.



We have not yet seen a brain model that shows 2 cuts through the temporal lobe, so that both the amygdala and the hippocampus are seen. In our range, on the other hand, we have a partially see-through brain model in the highest price range, which shows both structures.



All brain models in our range can be separated into different parts. All models (both with and without educational colors) that can be separated into 4 or more parts show the hippocampus. On almost all of these models, the hippocampus is also numbered and named on an overview that can be downloaded from the product descriptions of the brain models.