Anatomy for beginners

This course is designed to introduce scientists who have little or no background in brain anatomy to the fundamental structures of the brain and the functions they are involved in. Throughout the course, participants will gain an understanding of the key landmarks that anatomists use to navigate the complex architecture of the brain, and the functions that different regions are involved in.
The course emphasizes practical learning, with a strong focus on using interactive tools, particularly the Julich Brain Atlas (https://atlases.ebrains.eu/viewer/#/). This online viewer allows participants to engage directly with high-resolution brain datasets, providing them with a hands-on opportunity to navigate through the brain. Participants will not only learn the tricks used by radiologists to identify, e.g., the central sulcus or the intraparietal sulcus, but will have a chance to search for these brain structures themselves, enhancing their practical skills in brain navigation.
Another the key strength of the course is its flexibility in addressing the specific needs of participants. They will have the opportunity to ask questions about brain structures that are particularly relevant to their own scientific research and delve deeper into the microstructure of these areas. By the end of the course, participants will not only have become familiar with important anatomical terms—such as lobes, gyri, diencephalon, hippocampus, and primary visual cortex—but they will also develop the ability to locate these structures in scientifically relevant datasets such as the BigBrain, the Colin 27 single subject template, or the ICBM 152 population template. This will equip them with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, allowing them to apply what they’ve learned in various scientific or clinical contexts.