Nervous Anatomy Hub
Neuroanatomy from development to central and peripheral nervous pathways, for rapid revision.
Nervous Anatomy Hub
Embryology
Neural tube formation and early development of brain and spinal cord.
Neurulation – Neural Tube Formation
An overview of neurulation, the process where the ectodermal neural plate folds to form the neural tube, the precursor to the brain and spinal cord.
Neurulation – Neural Tube & Neural Crest
An overview of neurulation, the process where the neural plate folds to form the neural tube, the precursor to the brain and spinal cord, and the origin of neural crest cells.
Brain Development – Vesicles to Cerebral Hemispheres
An overview of brain development from the three primary vesicles (forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain) to the complex structures of the cerebral hemispheres and brainstem.
Spinal Cord Development – Grey Horns & White Tracts
An overview of how the caudal part of the neural tube develops into the spinal cord, detailing the formation of its grey matter horns and white matter tracts.
Fundamentals
Core nervous system concepts: neurons, synapses, nerves, plexuses, and autonomic basics.
Nervous System – CNS, PNS & Autonomic Divisions
An introduction to the nervous system, covering its anatomical (CNS, PNS) and functional (somatic, autonomic) divisions and their roles in controlling the body.
Neurons & Ganglia – Structure and Classification
Learn about neurons, the basic units of the nervous system, their structure (soma, axon, dendrites), and classification by polarity (unipolar, bipolar, multipolar).
Nerve Fibers & Synapses – Myelin and Transmission
Explore how nerve impulses are transmitted via myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. Understand the structure of a synapse and the role of neurotransmitters.
Peripheral Nerves & Plexuses – Spinal Nerves Explained
Learn the structure of peripheral nerves, the 31 pairs of spinal nerves, and how their ventral rami form major plexuses like the brachial and lumbosacral.
Autonomic Nervous System – Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic
An overview of the autonomic nervous system, contrasting the 'fight or flight' sympathetic division with the 'rest and digest' parasympathetic division.
Spinal Cord
Vertebral canal and major spinal cord tracts.
Vertebral Canal & Spinal Meninges – Anatomy & Lumbar Cistern
An overview of the vertebral canal, its contents including the spinal cord and meninges (dura, arachnoid, pia), and the clinical use of the lumbar cistern.
Spinal Cord – Grey Matter, White Columns & Major Tracts
Explore the spinal cord's structure, from its grey matter horns to the white matter columns containing major ascending (sensory) and descending (motor) tracts.
Brainstem
Medulla, pons, midbrain and reticular formation — essential clinical foundations.
Brainstem – Midbrain, Pons & Medulla Overview
An introduction to the brainstem, which connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord. Learn about its three components and their vital autonomic and pathway functions.
Medulla Oblongata – Anatomy, Nuclei & Syndromes
An overview of the medulla oblongata, the lowest part of the brainstem, detailing its external features (pyramids, olives), internal nuclei, and major clinical syndromes.
Pons – Anatomy, CN Nuclei & Pontine Syndromes
An overview of the pons, the 'bridge' of the brainstem, covering its ventral (basilar) and dorsal (tegmental) parts, cranial nerve nuclei, and key fiber tracts.
Midbrain – Colliculi, Crura & Substantia Nigra
An exploration of the midbrain, detailing its external features (crura cerebri, colliculi) and key internal structures like the red nucleus and substantia nigra.
Reticular Formation – ARAS, Alertness & Autonomics
An overview of the reticular formation, the functional core of the brainstem, detailing its role in consciousness (ARAS) and autonomic regulation (DRS).
Cerebrum
Cerebral hemispheres, cortex, basal nuclei, and limbic system overview.
Cerebrum – Lobes, Hemispheres & Basal Nuclei
An overview of the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain, detailing its two hemispheres, four major lobes (frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital), and sulci/gyri.
Cerebral Hemispheres – Lobes, Sulci & Gyri
An overview of the external features of the cerebral hemispheres, including their three surfaces, lobes, and the complex pattern of sulci and gyri.
Cerebral Cortex Functional Areas – Brodmann Basics
An overview of the key functional areas of the cerebral cortex, including the primary motor, somatosensory, visual, and auditory cortices, and language centers.
Basal Nuclei (Ganglia) – Anatomy & Motor Control
An overview of the basal nuclei, including the corpus striatum, and their crucial role in modulating voluntary movement, muscle tone, and procedural learning.
Limbic System – Hippocampus, Amygdala & Memory
An overview of the limbic system, the 'emotional brain,' detailing its components like the hippocampus and amygdala, and its role in emotion, memory, and behavior.
Cerebellum & Ventricles
Cerebellum plus CSF spaces, meninges and ventricular anatomy.
Cerebellum – Lobes, Functions & Clinical Signs
A comprehensive overview of the cerebellum ('little brain'), detailing its lobes, functional subdivisions, internal nuclei, and key clinical signs of dysfunction.
Meninges & CSF – Dura, Arachnoid, Pia + Cisterns
An overview of the meninges (dura, arachnoid, pia mater), the subarachnoid space, major cisterns, and the circulation and function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Brain Ventricles – CSF Production & Circulation
An overview of the ventricular system, including the two lateral, third, and fourth ventricles, and the circulation pathway of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Lateral Ventricles – Horns, Boundaries & Choroid Plexus
An overview of the paired, C-shaped lateral ventricles, detailing their parts (anterior, posterior, inferior horns, central part), boundaries, and choroid plexus.
Third Ventricle – Boundaries & Recesses
An overview of the third ventricle, the narrow midline cavity of the diencephalon, detailing its boundaries, floor, roof, and clinically important recesses.
Brain Vasculature
Arterial supply and venous drainage of the brain.
Brain Arteries – Circle of Willis & Major Territories
An overview of the brain's arterial supply, focusing on the Circle of Willis, its contributing vertebral and internal carotid arteries, and cortical distribution.
Brain Veins – Cerebral Veins & Dural Sinuses
An overview of the brain's venous drainage, covering the superficial and deep cerebral veins and their pathways into the major dural venous sinuses.
Cranial Nerves
Overview and CN I–XII in one organized sequence.
12 Cranial Nerves – Names, Types & Functions Overview
An introduction to the 12 pairs of cranial nerves, their classification as motor, sensory, or mixed, and their seven distinct functional components.
Olfactory Nerve (CN I) – Smell Pathway & Anatomy
A guide to the olfactory nerve (CN I), a unique sensory nerve responsible for the sense of smell. Learn its pathway from the nasal cavity to the olfactory bulb.
Optic Nerve (CN II) – Visual Pathway & Clinical
An overview of the optic nerve (CN II), a brain tract responsible for vision. Learn about the visual pathway, optic chiasm, and conditions like papilledema.
Oculomotor Nerve (CN III) – Eye Movements & Pupillary Reflex
A guide to the oculomotor nerve (CN III), detailing its motor control of most extraocular muscles and its parasympathetic function in pupillary constriction.
Trochlear Nerve (CN IV) – Superior Oblique Function
An overview of the trochlear nerve (CN IV), the slenderest cranial nerve, which innervates the superior oblique muscle for downward and lateral eye movements.
Head & Neck
Key peripheral nerve pathways in face, orbit, neck plexuses and sympathetics.
Face Nerve Supply – Facial (CN VII) & Trigeminal (CN V)
An overview of the face's innervation, with motor supply from the facial nerve (CN VII) for expression and sensory supply from the three divisions of the trigeminal nerve.
Orbital Nerves – CN II, III, IV, VI & Ciliary Ganglion
An overview of the nerves controlling the eye, including the optic (CN II), oculomotor (CN III), trochlear (CN IV), and abducent (CN VI) nerves, plus the ciliary ganglion.
Cervical Plexus (C1–C4) – Branches & Innervation
An overview of the cervical plexus, a network of nerves from C1-C4, detailing its cutaneous branches (e.g., great auricular) and muscular branches (e.g., phrenic nerve).
Phrenic Nerve (C3–C5) – Course & Diaphragm Supply
An overview of the phrenic nerve, its origin from C3-C5 ('C3, 4, 5 keeps the diaphragm alive'), its course over the scalenus anterior, and its sole motor supply.
Cervical Sympathetic Trunk – Ganglia & Horner Syndrome
An overview of the cervical sympathetic trunk, its three ganglia (superior, middle, inferior/stellate), its branches, and the signs of Horner's syndrome.
Upper Limb
Brachial plexus and major terminal nerves with clinically relevant branches.
Brachial Plexus Anatomy – Roots, Trunks, Cords & Branches
Master the brachial plexus with our guide on its roots, trunks, divisions, and cords. Learn key branches and clinical conditions like Erb's and Klumpke's palsy.
Major Nerves of the Arm – Median, Ulnar & Radial Paths
An overview of the courses and relations of the median, ulnar, and radial nerves as they travel through the arm from the axilla to the cubital fossa.
Axillary Nerve Anatomy – Course, Branches & Injury
A guide to the axillary nerve's origin, course through the quadrangular space, and branches. Understand clinical signs of injury like deltoid paralysis.
Radial Nerve Anatomy – Course, Branches & Wrist Drop
A detailed overview of the radial nerve, covering its path through the spiral groove, its branches to extensors, and clinical injuries like 'wrist drop'.
Median Nerve Anatomy – Course & Carpal Tunnel
A comprehensive overview of the median nerve, its path through the arm and forearm, and its motor and sensory distribution in the hand. Learn about its injuries.
Thorax & Abdomen
Autonomic and peripheral nerves for thoracic and abdominal walls and organs.
Heart Nerve Supply – Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic
The heart's autonomic innervation is controlled by sympathetic (cardioacceleratory) and parasympathetic (cardioinhibitory) fibers via the cardiac plexuses.
Abdominal Wall Nerves – T7–L1 Innervation
An overview of the nerves innervating the anterior abdominal wall, including the lower intercostal (T7-T11), subcostal (T12), iliohypogastric, and ilioinguinal nerves (L1).
Lumbar Plexus – Posterior Abdominal Wall Nerves
An overview of the lumbar plexus (L1–L4) and its branches, which form within the psoas major muscle to innervate the abdominal wall and lower limb.
Pelvis & Perineum
Pelvic nerve pathways and clinical essentials.
Lower Limb
Gluteal region and major lower-limb nerves to foot innervation.
Gluteal Nerves – Sciatic Nerve & Safe Injections
A guide to the nerves of the gluteal region, featuring the sciatic nerve. Learn the safe superolateral quadrant for intramuscular injections to avoid nerve injury.
Femoral Nerve (L2–L4) – Course, Branches & Supply
An overview of the femoral nerve, the chief nerve of the anterior thigh. Learn its course, branches to the quadriceps, and cutaneous distribution via the saphenous nerve.
Obturator Nerve (L2–L4) – Course, Divisions & Injury
An overview of the obturator nerve, the primary nerve of the medial thigh, detailing its anterior and posterior divisions and supply to the adductor muscles.
Sciatic Nerve (L4–S3) – Course & Clinical Notes
A detailed overview of the sciatic nerve, the thickest nerve in the body. Learn its course, branches to the hamstrings, and the safe lateral side for surgery.
Tibial Nerve – Course & Branches in Posterior Leg
A guide to the tibial nerve as it courses through the posterior leg, providing motor supply to the plantar flexors and sensory branches to the heel and sole.
Explore Related Anatomy Hubs
Neuroanatomy Hub
Central and peripheral nervous system anatomy with pathways and clinical correlations.
Head Anatomy Hub
Cranial bones, face, orbit, nasal cavity, oral cavity, and related neurovascular anatomy.
Neck Anatomy Hub
Triangles, fascia, vessels, nerves, viscera, and clinical anatomy of the neck.