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midbrain cross-section

How to Draw Midbrain Cross-section ?

Dr. Sulabh Kumar Shrestha, MS Orthopedics, Jul 17, 2016Jul 17, 2016

The cross-section of midbrain can be compared to the “upside down striped face of a red-eyed demon“.

midbrain 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:

midbrain cross-section

Another important mnemonic that everyone must remember is that:

  • Motor tracts are towards Midline
  • Sensory tracts are towards Side
dr. sulabh kumar shrestha
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. He is currently pursuing Fellowship in Hip, Pelvi-acetabulum and Arthroplasty at B&B Hospital.

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Comment

  1. khizar says:
    Aug 10, 2016 at 7:21 am

    levell bro

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Shrestha SK. How to Draw Midbrain Cross-section ? [Internet]. Epomedicine; 2016 Jul 17 [cited 2026 May 16]. Available from: https://epomedicine.com/medical-students/draw-midbrain-cross-section/.

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