In Situ Ventricular Casts of S10 Plastinated Human Brains

Abstract

The aim of this project was to provide students with plastinated specimens showing the three-dimensional features and contents of the human brain ventricular cavities. To fill the cavities, six cannulas were introduced through the cerebral cortex into the horns of both lateral ventricles, and a seventh one between the pons and the cerebellum into the fourth ventricle. Ventricles were filled either with 10% gelatin mixed with acrylic stain, or with a mixture of S10/S3/S6/S2 dyed with Biodur color paste. The brains were dissected to expose all ventricles and their communications (interventricular foramina, cerebral aqueduct), before being plastinated according to the standard S10 procedure. Gelatin and silicone casts were compared to each other.