Brain Anatomy Introduction
Objectives & Procedures
Brain Lab Objectives:

    A. Be able to identify components of each of the five major divisions of the brain on gross brain dissections and in transverse sections obtained from your slide box. Know which components comprise the brainstem.

    B. Be able to identify underlined brain structures on gross brains and in brain sections. Begin constructing a labeled atlas of the dog brain for review and future reference.

    C. Be able to put individual brain sections in correct rostrocaudal order.
PROCEDURES

Work in teams of at least two. We encourage discussions with your colleagues because this enables you to use your anatomy, and one remembers what one needs to use.

Each team of two is provided with a plastic container holding 1 whole and 1/2 sheep brain and 1/2 dog brain. In addition, you have 14 transverse sections of a dog brain in your slide box (L-series). The gross brains and brain slides should be used concurrently to give yourself two perspective views of each structure that you have to identify. (Gross brains are best for surface structures; deep structures are seen on brain sections.) Optionally, use a scalpel or pen knife to dissect the half sheep brain. A hand lens may be helpful for examining some structures on the glass brain slides.

The following identification procedures are suggested:
To identify underlined structures on brain slides, use descriptions given in this Lab Guide to find the structures on your atlas plates and labeled outline drawings. When a structure is identified via its atlas label, then find the structure on your glass slides. (Optionally, underline the structure name on your outline drawings as an inventory of what you have identified.)

To identify an underlined structure on gross brains, use the figure references in this Lab Guide to find an illustration of the structure in your "Guide to the Dissection of the Dog" book. Then, find the illustrated structure on your gross brain specimen.

Note: You will be tested on gross brains and brain sections. Consult your Lab Terms List for components you are expected to know.

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