Anatomical Dissections for Use in Neurosurgery

Advances in imaging techniques and microsurgery have made it possible to operate on any intracerebral structure. However, precise knowledge of the anatomy of the brain is an essential prerequisite. Conventional textbooks of the anatomy of the brain present the individual system according to their development and functional aspects, e.g. cortex, limbic system, basal ganglia, brainstem and cerebellum. As the neurosurgeon may be confronted with all the various systems during the operation, it is necessary to perform brain dissections under the aspect of operative approaches. The first volume gives young neurosurgeons methodical instructions in the dissection of the formaldehyde-preserved brain. Certain individual surface structures are kept intact until the end of the dissection so that the relative topographical positions of surface and deep structures can be made discernable. Two specimens are In the first dissection the cerebrum and cerebellum are studied to make the young neurosurgeon familiar with these structures during his initial training. The blood vessels and leptomeninges are removed to make the structures more easily recognizable and less confusing. As experience has shown that by the end of the first dissection the specimen is rather damaged by mistakes, the relationship between deep seated parts, the ventricular system and surface structures are then shown in a second dissection, where the vessels and leptomeninges are preserved.