NeuroAtlas — Central Nervous System

Central Nervous System

The intricate architecture of the brain and spinal cord and detailed anatomical content.

86B
Neurons
100T
Synapses
2%
Body Weight
400mi
Blood Vessels

Major Brain Structures

Six core regions orchestrate cognition, emotion, movement, and survival.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer neural layer governing perception, thought, language, and voluntary movement.

Frontal Parietal Temporal Occipital
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Basal Ganglia

Subcortical nuclei critical for motor control, procedural learning, and reward.

Caudate Putamen Globus Pallidus
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Limbic System

The emotional brain managing memory, motivation, and affective responses.

Hippocampus Amygdala Cingulate
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Diencephalon

Relay center housing the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pineal gland.

Thalamus Hypothalamus Pineal
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Brainstem

Controls vital autonomic functions: breathing, heart rate, consciousness.

Midbrain Pons Medulla
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Cerebellum

Coordinates movement precision, balance, and motor learning.

Cortex Nuclei Vermis
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Spinal Cord & Pathways

C1-C8 T1-T12 L1-L5 S1-S5

Spinal Cord Segments

The primary conduit between brain and body, carrying motor commands down and sensory information up through organized tracts.

Cervical (C1-C8)

Upper limbs, neck, diaphragm

Thoracic (T1-T12)

Trunk muscles, visceral organs

Lumbar (L1-L5)

Lower limbs, hip flexors

Sacral (S1-S5)

Pelvic organs, lower extremities

White Matter Tracts

Corticospinal Spinothalamic Dorsal Column Rubrospinal

Supporting Systems

Membranes, fluid systems, and vasculature that protect and nourish the CNS.

Ventricular System

CSF-producing cavities within the brain

  • Lateral Ventricles
  • Third Ventricle
  • Fourth Ventricle
  • Choroid Plexus
  • CSF Circulation

Meninges

Three protective membrane layers

  • Dura Mater (outer)
  • Arachnoid Mater
  • Pia Mater (inner)
  • Subarachnoid Space
  • Dural Sinuses

Cerebrovascular

Arterial and venous blood supply

  • Circle of Willis
  • Internal Carotids
  • Vertebral Arteries
  • Venous Sinuses
  • Blood-Brain Barrier

Cellular Components

Neurons

Electrically excitable cells transmitting signals through chemical and electrical mechanisms.

Pyramidal Cells

Primary excitatory cortical neurons

Purkinje Cells

Large GABAergic cerebellar neurons

Interneurons

Local circuit modulators

Glial Cells

Non-neuronal support cells providing structure, metabolism, and immune defense.

Astrocytes

BBB regulation, synapse support

Oligodendrocytes

CNS myelinating cells

Microglia

Resident immune cells

Neural Pathways

Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus

Fine touch, vibration, proprioception to somatosensory cortex.

Spinothalamic Tract

Pain and temperature to thalamus and cortex.

Visual Pathway

Retinal signals via optic nerve to occipital cortex.

How to Start Ready?

Access interactive 3D models, clinical cases, and self-assessments.

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