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:

1. Ear = Crus cerebri
   • Medial – frontopontine fibers
   • Middle – corticonuclear and corticospinal tract
   • Lateral – temporopontine fibers
2. Eye brows = Substantia nigra
3. Red eyes = Red nucleus
4. Bridge of nose = Raphe nucleus
5. Ala of nose = Median longitudinal fasciculus (MLF)
6. Nostrils = Cranial nerve nucleus
   • CN III in superior section
   • CN IV in inferior section
7. Whiskers = Cranial nerves
   • CN III – towards head
   • CN IV – towards chin
8. Stripe = Lemniscus
   • Towards head – Medial lemniscus
   • Middle – Spinal lemniscus (Spinothalamic tract)
   • Towards chin – Lateral lemniscus
9. Zygoma = Medial geniculate body
10. Mouth = Cerebral Aqueduct
11. Lips = Peri-aqueductal grey
12. Angle of mouth = Mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus
13. Chin = Colliculus
    • Superior colliculus in superior section
    • Inferior colliculus in inferior section

Now, lets label them:

Another important mnemonic that everyone must remember is that:

• Motor tracts are towards Midline
• Sensory tracts are towards Side

Dr. Sulabh Kumar Shrestha, MS Orthopedics

He is the section editor of Orthopedics in Epomedicine. He searches for and share simpler ways to make complicated medical topics simple. He also loves writing poetry, listening and playing music.