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Thursday, January 26, 2017

Brain Anatomy Charts - The Nervous System Explained

Submitted by: Stephen Lamb

Anatomical brain and head charts, commonly available as 22 by 28-inch plain paper or laminated pages, or flip charts, are ideal patient and student education tools. These charts, with their wealth of anatomical diagrams and lengthy but comprehensible explanations, offer a complex, colorful, easily-followed map of the human brain and nervous system, and all the ills that can befall it. In fact, words alone do not do these charts justice; only seeing is believing.

Take for example the anatomical flip chart called Understanding the Nervous System. This 13-page book, printed on UV-coated, full-sized, 12-point paper stock that allows for dry-erase marking (markers not included) provides physicians a way to highlight specific features or points in completely removable fashion. The flip chart also comes with a heavy, laminated cover, and the optional easel is spiral bound for uncomplicated page-turning and folds flat for storage.

The labeled Brain Anatomy chart provides, in 10 separate, full color and highly detailed images with attached explanatory text, a comprehensive overview of parts of the brain. From the cerebellum to the spinal cord, including the meninges and a coronal cross-section, as well as blood vessels supplying the brain and a didactic image of the functional brain sections, this chart is a superb tool for explaining brain mechanics to a patient or a pre-med student.

The Central Nervous System (CNS) chart provides a remarkably detailed overview not only of divisions of the brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, etc. in full-color didactic display), but images and text dealing with such items as cranial nerves, spinal structure, cellular-level views of motor neurons and synaptic cleft, and a description of the action and function of neurotransmitters, as well as a discussion on cerebrospinal fluid. In addition, the chart provides a brief overview of such CNS disturbances as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

While the CNS chart is a stand-alone teaching tool, it also makes an excellent companion piece to various educational charts such as Understanding Migraines, Understanding Epilepsy and Understanding Stroke. The migraine chart, which examines the causes and symptoms of this genetic, neurological disease (which presupposes that migraine sufferers have overly excitable neurons), discusses cerebral microvascularization, vasoconstriction and vasodilation (narrowing or widening of blood vessels), and even displays and discusses the origin and nature of a migraine aura, defined as visual and/or sensory disturbances, and speech disturbances, developing gradually and usually lasting no more than an hour.

The epilepsy and stroke charts also provide detailed and easily understood information and diagrams on these two health problems. The first, epilepsy, while relatively uncommon, can be devastating to patients, limiting their social interaction and putting them at serious risk of falls and other hazards. Strokes, on the other hand, are quite common among the elderly, and the chart discusses not only the types of stroke (hemorrhagic and ischemic), but the risk factors like smoking and diabetes than can increase the likelihood of the latter.

The Parkinson’s Disease Education Poster is especially useful as the incidence of this neurological defect becomes more prevalent as the U.S. population ages. Parkinson’s, which results primarily from degeneration, has distinctive stages, as well as specific diagnosis and treatment protocols, all of which the chart examines in detail.

All charts, including the single-page nervous system anatomy chart, are available as plain or laminated 22 by 28 inch sheets, with the lamination perforated by metal eyelets for hanging. The plastic coating allows surgeons, teachers and others to mark the pages in greater detail without destroying them by using dry erase markers.

About the Author: Universal Medical Inc is a premier provider of brain anatomy charts and nervous system posters.

Source: www.isnare.com

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