Learning neuroanatomy terms is a lot like learning a second language.
In neuroanatomy, we don’t say top, bottom, back and front. Instead, we have a whole different range of terminology for describing which region of the brain we are talking about.
But don’t worry, with this blog post, learning all the new names will be a doddle!
Top
The “top” of the brain is referred to as either the:
- Dorsal
- Superior
…parts of the brain.
Remember: Dorsal
To remember that the top section of the brain is sometimes referred to as the dorsal region of the brain, think of the dorsal fin of a shark.
The dorsal fin sits at the top of the shark’s body.
This is the fin that often pokes out of the water before a shark attack in the movies.
Remember: Superior
To remember that the top section of the brain is sometimes referred to as the superior region of the brain, picture someone who thinks that they are superior to those around them, such as a mean queen.
You could say that they believe that they are above everyone else – just like the superior region of the brain is above all the other regions in the brain.
Bottom
The bottom of the brain is referred to as either the:
- Ventral
- Inferior
…parts of the brain.
Remember: Ventral
Ventral comes from the Latin “venter” meaning, belly.
To remember that the bottom section of the brain is sometimes referred to as the ventral region, think of how, in the movies, whenever the hero is moving through a ventilation system, they’ll usually end up stepping on a loose vent panel and falling right into the bad guy’s main office below.
Remember: Inferior
To remember that the bottom section of the brain is sometimes referred to as the inferior region, picture someone who thinks that they are inferior to those around them, such as sulky Sam.
Sulky Sam is upset because Suzie got an A on her psychology test, whereas, he got a C.
Sulky Sam thinks he is inferior to Suzie.
Back
The back of the brain is referred to as either the:
- Posterior
- Caudal
…parts of the brain.
Remember: Posterior
To remember that the back of the brain is referred to as the posterior region, remember that the word posterior can also be another name for your butt. Therefore, you can think of the posterior region of the brain, as the brain’s butt or backside.
Remember: Caudal
To remember that the back region of the brain is also sometimes referred to as the caudal region of the brain, imagine a really mean lecturer named Mr. Caudal who always sets loads of assignments.
You could say that Mr. Caudal is a pain in the backside!
(Remember- the ruder something is, the more likely you are to remember it!)
DISCLAIMER: Characters featured in this blog are not based on any persons, whether living, deceased, fictional or otherwise.
Front
The front of the brain is referred to as either the:
- Rostral
- Anterior
…parts of the brain.
Remember: Rostral
To remember that the front section of the brain is sometimes referred to as the rostral region, remember that in a lecture, the speaker stands at a podium at the front of the lecture hall – this podium is called the rostrum.
The podium that a conductor uses when he stands in front of an orchestra is also called a rostrum.
Remember: Anterior
To remember that anterior region of the brain is at the front of the brain, think of the famous television duo, Ant and Dec.
When you say Ant and Dec, Ant’s name always comes in front of Dec’s. You never say Dec and Ant, that would just be weird.
So, Ant is always in front of Dec – he is ANTerior to him.
So…
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Psych & Neuro 101 