Brain Anatomy

with CT Correlation
Alih, Raisha Nazreen T.
  In the posterior fossa the 4th ventricle appears as an inverted
U-shaped structure. Similar to all cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)–
containing structures, it normally appears black on CT.
 Posterior to the 4th ventricle are the cerebellar hemispheres,
and anteriorly lie the pons and medulla oblongata.
 The tentorium cerebelli separates the infratentorial
Normal components of the posterior fossa (medulla, pons, cerebellum,
and 4th ventricle) from the supratentorial compartment.
anatomy  The interpeduncular cistern lies in the midbrain and separates
the paired cerebral peduncles, which emerge from the
superior surface of the pons.
 The suprasellar cistern is anterior to the interpeduncular
cistern and usually has a five- or six-point starlike appearance.
  The sylvian fissures are bilaterally symmetrical and contain CSF.
They separate the temporal from the frontal and parietal lobes.
 The lentiform nucleus is composed of the putamen (laterally) and
globus pallidus (medially).
 The third ventricle is slitlike and midline. At the posterior aspect
of the third ventricle is the pineal gland. Farther posterior is the

Normal quadrigeminal plate cistern.

 The corpus callosum connects the right and left cerebral
anatomy hemispheres and forms the roof of the lateral ventricle. The anterior
end is called the genu, and the posterior end is called the splenium.
 The basal ganglia are represented by the subthalamic nucleus,
substantia nigra, globus pallidus, putamen, and caudate
nucleus. The putamen and caudate nucleus are called the striatum.
  The frontal horns of the lateral ventricles hug the head of the
caudate nucleus. The two frontal horns are separated by the
midline septum pellucidum.
 The temporal horns, which are normally very small, are more
inferior and contained in the temporal lobes.
 The posterior horns of the lateral ventricle (occipital horns) lie in
the occipital lobes.
Normal  The most superior portion of the ventricular system are the bodies
Anatomy of the lateral ventricles.
 The falx cerebri lies in the interhemispheric fissure, which
separates the two cerebral hemispheres and is frequently calcified
in adults.
 The surface or cortex of the brain is made up of gray matter
convolutions composed of sulci (grooves) and gyri (elevations). The
medullary white matter lies below the cortex.
 Normal
unenhanced
computed
tomography scans
of the head
 Normal
unenhanced
computed
tomography scans
of the head
 Normal
unenhanced
computed
tomography scans
of the head
CT Densities
Calcifications that
may be seen on CT  Pineal Gland
of the brain and
are nonpathologic
Calcifications that
may be seen on CT  Basal Ganglia
of the brain and
are nonpathologic
Calcifications that
may be seen on CT  Choroid Plexus
of the brain and
are nonpathologic
Calcifications that
may be seen on CT  Falx and tentorium
of the brain and
are nonpathologic
 Normal structures that can enhance after administration of
iodinated intravenous contrast:
♦ Venous sinuses
♦ Choroid plexus
♦ Pituitary gland and stalk

 Metallic densities in the head can cause artifacts on CT scans.

Dental fillings, aneurysm clips, and bullets can all cause streak
artifacts.