Overview
Clean, consistent brain dissection is the foundation of reproducible neuroscience. Knowing the major landmarks makes orientation, blocking and sectioning far easier.
Removing the Brain
After humane sacrifice and, where used, perfusion, carefully remove the skull and lift the brain intact. Avoid crushing or tearing tissue, which creates artifacts later.
Key Landmarks
The olfactory bulbs, cerebellum, brainstem and the midline fissure help orient the brain. Identify the region of interest before sectioning to choose the correct plane.
Blocking the Brain
Trim to a block containing the region of interest, keeping orientation consistent between animals. A flat, stable block face is essential for uniform sections.
Orientation for Sectioning
Coronal, sagittal or horizontal planes each suit different analyses. Decide the plane based on your region and reference atlas, and keep it consistent.
Practice and Consistency
Standardise the dissection protocol and train all operators the same way — variation at this early step propagates through every downstream measurement.