Pons in latin, refers to a “bridge”. Pons varolli is a part of brain-stem, that links thalamus with medulla oblongata. The cross-section of pons is similar to the midbrain as described earlier but few things must be kept in mind: The orientation of lemnisci in midbrain is more or less…
Author: Dr. Sulabh Kumar Shrestha, MS Orthopedics

How to Draw Midbrain Cross-section ?
The cross-section of midbrain can be compared to the “upside down striped face of a red-eyed demon“. Using this analogy of a demon face, lets assign the structures found on the cross-section of midbrain: Ear = Crus cerebri Medial – frontopontine fibers Middle – corticonuclear and corticospinal tract Lateral –…

CSF Circulation Made Simple
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Production and Absorption CSF is produced by the choroid plexus that lines the ventricles. Choroid plexus = Infoldings of blood vessels of piamater + Modified ciliated ependymal cells Tight junctions of the choroid plexus cells form Blood-CSF barrier. CSF is reabsorbed by arachnoid granulations to enter dural…

Answering Techniques for Surgery Papers
How to answer definitions ? Definitions are often asked in the exams – both in theory exams and viva-voce. As the content is vast, mugging them up is not a good idea. If you have a good understanding over the topic, you can write down a good definition by including…

Thalamic Connections Mnemonic
Structure of Thalamus A vertical “Y” shaped white mater – internal medullary lamina divides thalamus into: In anatomical position: Pulvinar = Posterior end or posterior pole of thalamus Thalamic Connections Picture mnemonic Remember the schematic diagram drawn below showing important parts of thalamus in an anticlockwise fashion: Now, we assign…

Heme Synthesis and Defects Simplified
Structure of Heme Heme is a ferro-proto-porphyrin. Heme = Protoporphyrin IX ring + Iron (Fe) in center Protoporphyrin IX = porphyrin with attachment to 4 Methyl, 2 Propionyl and 2 Vinyl groups. Porphyrin = Cyclic structure with 4 pyrrole rings Pyrrole rings are derived from Porphobilinogen (PBG) Hydroxymethylbilane = Linear…

Medical Humanities in Nepal
The practice of medicine is an art, not a trade; a calling, not a business; a calling in which your heart will be exercised equally with your head. – Mark E Silverman Shapiro et.al. defined medical humanities with characteristic features: Use of methods, concepts, and content from one or more…

Cholesterol Synthesis Mnemonic
Liver as a hub of cholesterol metabolism All nucleated cells have the capacity to synthesize cholesterol from acetyl-CoA (like most biological lipids). 90% of synthesis occurs in liver and intestine. The cholesterol biosynthesis pathway involves enzymes that are in the cytoplasm, microsomes (ER), and peroxisomes. Liver obtains cholesterol from 3…