Neuroanatomical map of the brain of a human or other animal
A brain atlas is composed of serial sections along different anatomical planes of the healthy or diseased developing or adult animal or human brain where each relevant brain structure is assigned a number of coordinates to define its outline or volume. Brain atlases are contiguous, comprehensive results of visual brain mapping and may include anatomical, genetic or functional features.[1] A functional brain atlas is made up of regions of interest, where these regions are typically defined as spatially contiguous and functionally coherent patches of gray matter.[2]
In most atlases, the three dimensions are: latero-lateral (x), dorso-ventral (y) and rostro-caudal (z). The possible sections are
^Villadsen, Jonas; Hansen, Hanne D.; Jørgensen, Louise M.; Keller, Sune H.; Andersen, Flemming L.; Petersen, Ida N.; Knudsen, Gitte M.; Svarer, Claus (2018). "Automatic delineation of brain regions on MRI and PET images from the pig". Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 294: 51–58. doi:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.11.008. PMID29146191. S2CID38308791.