Brain in skull, 5 parts

Anatomically, the model shows both the human brain and the skull that surrounds it. The model thus provides a good insight into how the various structures that run from the brain pass through various holes in the skull. For example, you can see how the brainstem runs through the forearm magnum at the base of the skull.



The brain can generally be divided into the cerebrum (cerebrum), the cerebellum (cerebellum) and the brainstem (truncus encephali).



These 3 structures are clearly separated via different color tones, and the difference between gray and white matter can be clearly seen on this model.



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


In the brainstem you can see its 3 parts (the midbrain, the pons and the medulla oblongata) as well as the apparent origin of the cranial nerves (also called the cranial nerves)


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


The pictures on the left show how the model can be separated into 5 parts. This makes it possible to study the internal structures of the brain, and several of these are seen in 3 dimensions.



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, the hippocampus can be seen as well as some of the other limbic structures such as the fornix - but not the amygdala.



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.



As the amygdala lies IN FRONT of the hippocampus (roughly speaking further "toward the forehead"), both of these structures can only be seen on a brain model if the model includes at least 2 frontal/coronal sections through the temporal lobe - or if the brain model is partially transparent (frontal/ coronal incisions roughly correspond to the incision direction "from ear to ear").



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. The model can be viewed via THIS LINK.



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. This also applies to this brain model.