Cranial nerves, brainstem & cavernous sinus
Product code: HP0308
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Whole Whole region / system / unpaired organ.
The twelve pairs of cranial nerves are involved in numerous critical functions, including olfaction, vision, hearing, speech, eating, and swallowing, and modulation of the cardiorespiratory and digestive systems. Visualising their origin from the cerebrum and brainstem, their exit from the cranium, and their subsequent course can help explain the signs and symptoms associated with damage. This Silicone Plastinate provides unique views of the origin, course, and relations of the cranial nerves in the head and neck. The orientation, relations, and differential structure of the brainstem, including its relationship with the thalamus, ventricles, and pineal gland is also revealed. Multiple nerves can be traced through the orbit, infratemporal fossa, parapharyngeal space, face, and neck.
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Complementary left-right side views
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Stand mounted
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Human tissue with unique ID
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Full aftersales support
Key features include
General
- Whole head and neck.
- Most blood vessels, including intracranial vessels, are removed.
Head
- Calvarium (superior part), occipital bone, vertebral arch, and parts of the brain removed to reveal posterior and lateral views of the brainstem.
- Structure, orientation, and relations of the brainstem, including its relationship with the thalamus, ventricles, and pineal gland.
- External features of the brainstem, including the colliculi and cerebellar peduncles.
- Posterior and lateral views of the origin and subsequent course of the cranial nerves.
- Junction of the spinal cord and medulla oblonga at the foramen magnum.
- Dorsal columns and gracile and cuneate nuclei of the spinal cord.
- Meningeal dura removed on one side to reveal the trigeminal ganglion, and its branching into the ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular nerves.
- Cavernous sinus opened to reveal its contents, including the course and position of related cranial nerves and the internal carotid artery.
- Emergence of supraorbital, infraorbital, and mental nerves, onto the face from their respective foramen.
- Ramus of mandible removed to reveal the infratemporal fossa and parapharyngeal space, and their neural contents, including the lingual, inferior alveolar, auriculotemporal, mylohyoid and buccal nerves.
- Chorda tympani joining the lingual nerve.
- Facial nerve (CN VII) emerging from the stylomastoid foramen, including its subsequent branching and connection to the auriculotemporal nerve.
- Orbit and its contents, revealed from lateral and superior perspectives, including the lacrimal gland and innervation of some extraocular muscles.
- Relationship of eyeball and orbital contents to the maxillary sinus and infraorbital nerve.
- Eyelid and eyeball reflected to reveal the contents of the orbit, including the eyeball attachment sites of the extraocular muscles and the optic nerve (CN II) and its outer sheath.
- Structure of the lips, including orbicularis oris and labial glands.
Neck
- Most vasculature removed to provide clear views of nerves within the neck.
- Common carotid artery and its bifurcation, including the carotid sinus and carotid sinus nerve (branch of glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)).
- Vertebral arch and half of the vertebral bodies removed.
- Meninges opened in layers, to reveal the cervical spinal nerves, their posterior roots, and spinal (dorsal root) ganglion.
- Sagittal view of the intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies.
- Position and structure of the pharynx.
- Styloid process and its associated muscles and ligaments.
- Position, course, and branches of the vagus (CN X), glossopharyngeal (CN IX) and hypoglossal (CN XII) nerves, and part of the accessory (CN XI) nerve.
- Hyoid bone and structure of the larynx, including the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, associated membranes, and cricothyroid muscle.
- Innervation of the larynx, including the superior laryngeal nerve and its division into internal and external laryngeal nerves.
- Suprahyoid muscles and the attachments of the infrahyoid muscles.
- Structure and position of the thyroid gland.
- Arrangement and relations of the scalenus muscles, and their inferior attachments.
- Brachial plexus emerging from between the scalenus muscles.
- Medial (proximal) parts of the cervical plexus.
Possible variants or pathology (not guaranteed)
- Morphology and position of glands and viscera.
- Thyroid or salivary gland tumour or cyst.
- Passage (hole) in cranium for emissary veins
- Amount of tympanic cavity exposed in relation to sigmoid sinus.
- Visibility of chorda tympani joining the lingual nerve.
- Branching pattern of vessels, nerves, and nerve plexuses.
Available customisations
- Remove posterior part of one thalamus to reveal a transverse section of the midbrain (including the substantia nigra) and the origin of the oculomotor nerve (CN III).
- Dissect petrous part of temporal bone to reveal the inner ear.
- Please contact us to discuss bespoke customisations.
