Certain medical specialties require an extensive depth of knowledge of neuroanatomy on both the macro and microscopic scale. Notably, neurology, neurosurgery, neuropathology, and neuroradiology require the physician to know not only the numerous structural aspects of the central and peripheral nervous system, but also the various neuronal tracts and cellular makeup of the nervous system. This elective will encompass a study of neuroanatomy on both the macro and microscopic scale using a combination of histological slides, radiographic images, gross anatomical pictures, and lectures to better prepare the medical student wishing to pursue a career in the neurosciences by providing an in dept of study of neuroanatomy.

Objects of the Experience:

The objects of this course will be to provide a sound, fundamental overview of the central and peripheral nervous system. Using one on one didactic lectures to provide individualized lectures, individual self study using resources provided by the physician faculty member, and question and answer sessions to promote optimal understanding of the material. With the absence of a neuroradiology elective, and limited access to the neuroICU, this neuroanatomy elective will supplement much of the information that may have been learned on these other electives while adding an additional level of detail that may otherwise be overlooked.

Planned Learning Activities:

Learning will take place through scheduled meetings between the medical student and the physician faculty member in charge of the course. At these meetings formal lectures as well as one on one conversations covering the material will take place so that the student can maximally learn the information covered.  Tools used will be neuroanatomy atlases, histological slides, radiographic images, and gross anatomy pictures as well as neuroanatomical models that the physician faculty has.   Information covered will include embryological and developmental neuroanatomy, normal gross and microscopic anatomy, pathological disease states and their respective gross and microscopic anatomical correlates. The student will be expected to e prepared for each meeting by reviewing the appropriate information through self directed learning, and will then use the information learned to participate actively during the assigned meetings.  The student will be expected to be an active participant of each meeting, and provide presentations of what he has learned.

Final evaluation will be determined by the physician faculty member on the basis of participation, mastery of the knowledge presented during the course, and presentations given by the student. It will be the physician’s discretion to provide a grade of fail, pass, high pass or honors based on the student’s performance in these three areas listed above. The physician may use whatever method that they deem suitable in determining the student’s performance.