Stem, anterior view

Structure: < Click on image >

Anterior View of Brainstem. Most of the forebrain has been removed in this disssection (portions of the basal ganglia, internal capsule and hypothalamus remain). Note: the optic tract crossing the cerebral peduncles (which "plunge" into the base of the pons); the floor of the hypothalamus (= tuber cinereum) with the infundibulum protruding from it; the flocculus (L. tuft) of the cerebellum appearing as an oval mass just lateral to the junction between the pons and medulla; the pyramid (corticospinal tract) and olive (inferior olivary nucleus) on the surface of the medulla; the cerebellar tonsil bulging toward the medulla; and the cerebellar hemispheres.