Like in Midbrain and Pons: Corticospinal tract passes ventrally Ventricular system is located dorsally in midline Cranial nerve nuclei are located just anterior to the ventricle Medial longitudinal fasciculus is present around the center Another important thing to remember is that, the caudal medulla resembles “spinal cord“: Circular in shape…
Tag: Nervous system
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
How to Draw Pons Cross-section ?
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…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
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 –…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
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…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
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…
Clinical Skills and Approaches 
Lhermitte’s Sign
Synonym: Lhermitte’s phenomenon, Barber chair phenomenon Definition of Lhermitte’s Sign Lhermitte’s sign (pronounced Ler-meets) is an electric shock-like sensations, spreading along the spine in a cervico-caudal direction and into the arms and legs felt upon active or passive flexion of the neck. Reverse Lhermitte’s Sign is defined when symptoms are…
Emergency Medicine 
Status Epilepticus and Neonatal seizures : Updated Management
Terminologies Related with Status Epilepticus 1. Seizure: Abnormal or excessive neuronal discharge causing a transient disturbance of cerebral function. 2. Epilepsy: A condition characterized by recurrent (≥2) unprovoked seizures. 3. Status Epilepticus (SE): a. Conventional definition: 2 fits occur without recovery of consciousness in between or a single fit lasts longer than…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Peripheral Neuropathy Made Easy
Step 1: What system is involved – motor, sensory, autonomic or mixed? a. Sensory involvement Positive neuropathic sensory symptoms (PNSS) – suggest Acquired polyneuropathy prickling, tingling, asleep like numbness Pain – suggest Small fiber neuropathy due to toxic, metabolic, ischemic or idiopathic cause electric shock, burning, freezing, tightness, throbbing, allodynia…