Cerebrum: Key Surface Anatomy

• We present the 5 cerebral lobes a diamond formation, which should be a helpful mnemonic:
  Frontal up front.
  Parietal on top.
  Occipital in the back.
  Temporal at the bottom.
  Limbic in the center.

The Sylvian fissure (aka the lateral sulcus)

• Distinguishes the cerebral lobes.

The central sulcus

• Distinguishes the frontal and parietal lobes.

The parieto-occipital sulcus

• Distinguishes the parietal and occipital lobes.

Brainstem anatomy

From superior to inferior:

Midbrain
Pons.
Medulla oblongata.

Cerebellum & Diencephalon

• The cerebellum rests on the back of the brainstem.
• The diencephalon lies within the center of the brain and contains the thalamus.
• The corpus callosum is a prominent white matter pathway.

The precentral gyrus (the primary motor cortex)

• Lies anterior to the central sulcus.

The postcentral gyrus (the primary sensory cortex)

• Lies behind the central sulcus.

2 reliable indicators:

-The characteristic omega-shaped knob of the precentral gyrus
-The precentral gyrus is thicker than the postcentral gyrus

Optic pathway.

• Optic nerves (anteriorly)
• Optic chiasm (when they cross) and transition into the:
• Optic tracts.

The pituitary gland

• Lies beneath the optic chiasm.

The mammillary bodies

• Are small but easily identifiable.