A Simple and Consistent Rule for Easy Learning of Neuroanatomy: Three Neurons of Afferent Nerves/Una Regla Simple y Consistente para Facilitar el Aprendizaje de la Neuroanatomia: Tres Neuronas de los Nervios Aferentes

• Published in: International journal of morphology 2023-07, Vol.41 (4), p.996
• Main Authors: Kim, Chung Yoh, Chung, Beom Sun
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Neurons; Neurophysiology
• ISSN: 0717-9367

Many students regard neuroanatomy as a terrifying subject due to the complicated neuronal connections. Purpose of this research was to promote the easy and logical learning of neuroanatomy by systematizing a rule "three neurons of afferent nerves." The rule, in which the second neuron decussates and reaches the thalamus, was applied to as many structures as possible. The three neurons are drawn in a constant pattern to intuitively demonstrate the rule. The rule could be applied not only to the spinothalamic tract, medial lemniscus pathway, sensory cranial nerves (visual pathway, trigeminothalamic tract, taste pathway, and auditory pathway) and ascending reticular activating system, but also to the pontocerebellum (afferent to cerebrum), basal nuclei (direct pathway), and limbic system (medial limbic circuit). Exceptionally, some afferent nerves do not exactly follow the suggested rule. This simple rule, which corresponds to many pathways of the neuroanatomy, is expected to make the learning by novice students easier. KEY WORDS: Neuroanatomy; Afferent neurons; Undergraduate medical education; Illustrated books. Muchos estudiantes consideran la neuroanatomia como un tema aterrador debido a las complicadas conexiones neuronales. El proposito de esta investigacion fue promover el aprendizaje facil y logico de la neuroanatomia mediante la sistematizacion de una regla "tres neuronas de los nervios aferentes". La regla, en la que la segunda neurona se decusa y llega al talamo, se aplico a todas las estructuras cuando esto fue posible. Las tres neuronas se dibujan en un patron constante para demostrar la regla intuitivamente. La regla podria aplicarse no solo al tracto espinotalamico, la via del lemnisco medial, los nervios craneales sensoriales (via visual, tracto trigeminotalamico, via gustativa y via auditiva) y el sistema de activacion reticular ascendente, sino tambien al pontocerebelo (aferente al cerebro), nucleos basales (via directa) y sistema limbico (circuito limbico medial). Excepcionalmente, algunos nervios aferentes no siguen exactamente la regla sugerida. Se espera que esta simple regla, que corresponde a muchas vias de la neuroanatomia, facilite el aprendizaje de los estudiantes principiantes. PALABRAS CLAVE: Neuroanatomia; Neuronas aferentes; Educacion medica de pregrado; Libros ilustrados.