Web-Based Instruction

Veterinary Neurobiology

Links to instructional web sites produced by

Veterinary Anatomy faculty at the University of Minnesota

Click to view a web site

Veterinary Neurobiology (CVM 6120)

Brain Gross Anatomy
This Brain Gross Anatomy web site presents brain dissection neuroanatomy. It is intended for veterinary students studying neurobiology (CVM 6120) at the University of Minnesota. Brain components are shown in intact or dissected brains of horse, cow, sheep, dog, or cat. Images of dissected brains are organized by anatomical region and by viewing perspective. Each brain image has an accompanying caption and labels that can be toggled on/off.

Canine Brain Transections
A website presenting neuroanatomy of the canine brain as seen in 20 transverse sections labeled to identify what veterinary students are expected to know in a Veterinary Neurobiology course. The website has two divisions: 1] Brain Transection Levels, which correlates brain levels with brain regions, and 2] Brain Transection Atlas, which identifies anatomical components within brain transections. The atlas features two modes of identification: select a name & see the corresponding structure identified and described, or select a structure & see its name high-lighted. Users can toggle between the two divisions and navigate via an index screen showing small images of all sections. New! Pop-up glossary statements have been added. When a term is clicked in an Atlas plate, a dot label shows its location and a glossary statement describes it.

Neurohistology ATLAS
A web site for self-study by veterinary students studying Veterinary Neurobiology (CVM 6120) at the University of Minnesota. The site presents an image Atlas, consisting of over 60 labeled images with captions. Atlas images are linked circularly by Previous/Next buttons. To facilitate Atlas navigation, an associated Image Catalog features image buttons that are reciprocally linked to Atlas images. Web site images are grouped into five neurohistology categories: Neuron & Synapse; Neuroglia & Myelin; Central Nervous System; Peripheral Nervous System; and Meninges.

Neurobiology Labs Overview (CVM 6120 ) — Preview & Review Images
A web site for self-study by veterinary students studying Veterinary Neurobiology (CVM 6120) at the University of Minnesota. The site presents neuroanatomy information related to each of eight Neurobiology Labs in the course. Content in the form of images with captions, including links to other images, is organized per Lab.

Lab 1: Neurohistology
A web site that duplicates Lab I of the CVM 6120 Laboratory Guide in order to present color images corresponding to the black & white images included in the Lab Guide. Each section of the Lab Guide is a page in the web site.

Lab 2: Spinal Cord Anatomy
A web site that corresponds to Lab 2 of the CVM 6120 Laboratory Guide, developed to present spinal cord anatomy via color images, including gross anatomy, segment-vertebrae relationships, meninges, blood supply, histology of spinal gray and white matter, and spinal tracts. Because the spinal cord is clinically significant in veterinary medicine, the site enhances the content in the printed Lab Guide. Terms that students should learn for this Lab are presented in bold type.

Lab 3: Brain Anatomy Introduction
A web site that corresponds to Lab 3 of the CVM 6120 Laboratory Guide, developed to present beginning brain anatomy from different perspectives via a variety of color images of brain dissections and transections. The site is regionally organized corresponding to sections of the printed Lab Guide. Terms that students should learn for this Lab are presented in bold type.

Lab 6: Cerebellum
A web site that expands Lab 6 of the CVM 6120 Laboratory Guide, developed to present cerebellar anatomy and function via diagrams and images of brain dissections and tissue sections. The site is organized into the following sections: Anatomy, Divisions, Cortex, Peduncles, Circuits, and Function. Terms that students should learn for this Lab are presented in bold type.

Neurobiology Learning Objects
A web site presenting animated modules for instructional use by faculty (and students). The term "learning object" refers to an instructional module of limited didactic scope that is designed be re-used by different instructors in different instructional contexts. These neurobiology instructional modules feature animation (Flash .swf content) to enhance interest and didactic impact. Individual modules can be viewed on-line, but each module displays a DOWNLOAD link for copying the module to a local hard disc via FTP file transfer.

Autonomic Nervous System
New! This web site presents autonomic nervous system anatomy and physiology, emphasizing visceral efferent nerve pathways to canine body regions. The web site features animated tutorials for learning pathways and animation quizzes for tracing one’s knowledge of sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways to regional visceral organs. (At this time, the pathway sections are completed; the physiology sections are still under development.)

Cranial Nerves Animated Quiz
New! Animated quizes are presented for students to reinforce their knowledge of the names, innveration targets, and fiber type content of cranial nerves. The quizes demostrate the correct answer when a choice is made. Each time RESET is clicked, a new randomized version of the quiz is presented.

Link to Sheep Brain Atlas/Quiz
New! John Kubie, Dept of Anatomy & Cell Biology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, has created a Sheep Brain Atlas/Quiz that is cleverly done using Java applications. He has graciously made it freely available for educational purposes. The courseware must be downloaded and run on your computer.

Video-clips of Clinical Neurology Cases
To enhance neurology instruction, this web site makes video-clips of selected patients of the University of Minnesota Veterinary College available to faculty and students. The patients exhibit either neurology disorders or normal responses during a clinical neurology exam. The video-clips, identified by case number, are organized chronologically, by species, or by syndrome. Individual video-clips may be viewed via video streaming or they may be downloaded in either 320x240 or 640x480 pixel dimensions, the latter size is provided for classroom projection.

CVM 6120 Neurobiology Lecture Files (Drs. Skinner, Beitz & Fletcher)
Temporary availability of CVM 6120 lecture presentations in Neurobiology by Drs. Skinner, Beitz & Fletcher, for the benefit of students who missed class. Lectures are in PDF file format.

Additional Instructional Material

Anatomical Adaptation for Cursorial Locomotion
A web page that highlights anatomical changes associated with running in quadrupeds along with the anatomical compromises imposed by diet (herbivore vs. carnivore). (Designed as an introduction to anatomical principles for Molecular Biology graduate students.)

Veterinary Anatomy Museum
Presents a slide-show of images from the Veterinary Anatomy Museum at the University of Minnesota. Images are categorized by Species, Anatomical Region, Disease Condition, and Type of Specimen Preservation.

Link: Veterinary Historical Museum
Web Site of the Veterinary Historical Museum, which is dedicated to preserving the rich history of veterinary medicine in Minnesota.

Link: Neuroscience Instructional Media from the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota web site presenting multimedia assets for neuroscience instruction.