Besides the external view of the brain, the mid-sagittal view provides direct relationships of structures on the surface to those inside of the brain.

• Besides the external view of the brain, the mid-sagittal view provides direct relationships of structures on the surface to those inside of the brain.

• Internal structures of the brain are viewed in slices that are generated electronically (eg, MRI) or by physical slicing of the cerebrum and brainstem. The direction of sectioning provides images of coronal (frontal), sagittal or horizontal (cross-axial to the body) sections. In these gross slices, structural relationships are determined by observing gray to white mater patterns. These differentials can be enhanced using architectonic staining for myelin (Myelotectonic patterns) or for cell nuclei (Cytoarchitectonic patterns). MRI images have advantage in that they can be made in virtually every plane. MRI resolution is not yet to the level of detail needed for scientific study of intricate relationships involving function.