Abstract

This textbook provides a thorough and comprehensive overview of the human brain and spinal cord for medical and graduate students as well as residents in the clinical neurosciences. Standing on the shoulders of training from outstanding scientist-teacher mentors and based on more than 30 years of experience teaching about the brain and spinal cord to medical and graduate students, this single authored text presents everything the reader would need as they begin their study of the nervous system. At the same time the experienced neuroscientist will find much useful and valuable information in these pages that is based almost exclusively on studies in experimental primates and observations in humans. Every effort has been made to present the complexities of the nervous system as simply and clearly as possible. The careful reader will discover a clarity and depth of coverage that makes the reading both instructional and enjoyable. Topics are presented logically and the text in an easy-to-read style. The accompanying line drawings emphasize important concepts in a clear and uncluttered manner.

Topics presented:

• Neurons, glial cells, degeneration, regeneration, axonal transport
• Review of the development of the human nervous system
• Overview of the anatomy of the spinal cord, brain stem and forebrain
• General sensory paths (pain, temperature, touch, pressure, proprioception)
• Special sensory systems (auditory, vestibular, visual, olfactory and gustatory)
• Eye movements and visual reflexes
• Comprehensive presentation of the regions involved in motor activity including the clinical manifestation of injuries to these motor areas
• Limbic system, hypothalamus and the autonomic nervous system
• Lobes of the brain, clinically important cortical areas and the results of lesions in these areas
• Blood supply to the spinal cord, brain stem, and brain including classical brain stem syndromes
• The meninges and the ventricular system
• Numerous helpful clinical correlations that emphasize the practical application of basic anatomical information.

* Presents the complexities of the nervous system as simply and clearly as possible
* Written with a clarity and depth of coverage that makes the reading both instructional and enjoyable
* Includes numerous illustrations emphasizing important concepts