Skip to content
Epomedicine

Mnemonics, Simplified Concepts & Thoughts

Epomedicine

Mnemonics, Simplified Concepts & Thoughts

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.

9 shares
  • Facebook9
  • Twitter
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS AnatomyNervous system

Post navigation

Previous post
Next post

Related Posts

PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS

Bacterial Food Poisoning

Jul 5, 2024Jul 5, 2024

Mnemonic: AB-BC-CES Bacteria Vomiting Diarrhea Fever Food source Duration 1-6 hrs (Preformed toxins) Aureus (S. aureus) +++ +/- +/- Meats, dairy, bakery 24-48 hrs B. Cereus +++ +/- – Reheated fried rice 24 hrs 8-16 hrs B. Cereus (diarrheal toxin) +/- +++ – Meats, stews, gravy 24-48 hrs C. Perfringes…

Read More
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS

Trauma Scoring Systems

Mar 26, 2025Mar 26, 2025

Scoring systems Score type Brief description Score interpretation Revised trauma score (RTS) Physiologic RR + SBP + GCS Each parameter is scored 0-4 (Total range = 0-12) Lower score indicates more severe injury (RTS 12 = <1% mortality; RTS 0 = >99% mortality) Score <11 – transfer to trauma center…

Read More
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS

Wound Myiasis (Maggot Infestation)

Apr 17, 2021Apr 25, 2025

Myiasis is defined as the infestation of live vertebrates (humans and/or animals) with dipterous larvae. The order Diptera is a large order of insects that are commonly known as true flies. Myiasis may be classified clinically into: Wound myiasis occurs when fly larvae infest open wounds of a mammalian host….

Read More

Comment

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

    levell bro

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Shrestha SK. How to Draw Midbrain Cross-section ? [Internet]. Epomedicine; 2016 Jul 17 [cited 2026 Sep 4]. Available from: https://epomedicine.com/medical-students/draw-midbrain-cross-section/.

Pre-clinical (Basic Sciences)

Anatomy

Biochemistry

Community medicine (PSM)

Embryology

Microbiology

Pathology

Pharmacology

Physiology

Clinical Sciences

Anesthesia

Dermatology

Emergency medicine

Forensic

Internal medicine

Gynecology & Obstetrics

Oncology

Ophthalmology

Orthopedics

Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

Pediatrics

Psychiatry

Radiology

Surgery

RSS feed: Ask Epomedicine Ask Epomedicine

  • What to study for Clinical examination in Orthopedics?
  • What is the mechanism of AVNRT?

Epomedicine weekly

  • About Epomedicine
  • Contact Us
  • Author Guidelines
  • Submit Article
  • Editorial Board
  • USMLE
  • MRCS
  • Thesis
©2026 Epomedicine | WordPress Theme by SuperbThemes