This note covers standardized terms used to describe brain structures and their relative locations in MRI research.
Key Terminology:
-
Anterior/Posterior: Front and back of the brain, respectively.
-
Superior/Inferior: Top and bottom of the brain, respectively.
-
Medial/Lateral: Towards or away from the center of the brain, respectively.
-
Rostral/Caudal: Terms used in animals, with rostral being the front and caudal being the back.
-
Dorsal/Ventral: Terms used in animals, with dorsal being the top and ventral being the bottom.
Planes of Orientation: -
Frontal/Coronal Plane: Divides the brain front-to-back.
-
Transverse/Axial Plane: Horizontal plane, dividing the brain top-to-bottom.
-
Sagittal Plane/Midline Sagittal Plane: Vertical plane dividing the brain left-to-right through the center (midline) or the nose.
Using Terminology
MRI Image Conventions:
- Radiological Convention: Left side of the image corresponds to the right side of the brain (as if looking at the person).
- Neurological Convention: Left side of the image corresponds to the left side of the brain (as if standing behind the person).
- Fiduciary Marker: A marker placed on the right side of the brain during MRI to clarify left and right sides in the image.
Additional Terms:
- Proximal: Closer to the point of attachment.
- Distal: Further from the point of attachment.
- Ipsilateral: On the same side of the brain.
- Contralateral: On the opposite side of the brain.
- Oblique Plane: A plane angled relative to the horizontal or vertical planes.
