Sheep Brain dissection

1. The brain of the sheep when compared to the human brain is similar in having delineated structures such as the cerebellum, the pineal gland and thalamus, and the sheep's brain even has hemispheric lobes with ventricles. The orientation of the sheep's brain is much more elongated than for that of a human brain. Another difference, which may take a moment to fully appreciate, is that the size of the olfactory bulb is much larger in the sheep's brain. As a herd animal, sheep survival often relies on the ability to detect the scents of predators. The sheep brain is also lacking the characteristic folds and large size of the human cerebrum, which explains why, so far, sheep are not hired at call centers to resolve problems that require complex language skills and decision making.
2. The "dura mater" is the outermost layer of the membranes or meninges that protect the brain and also encases the spinal cord. Its outer side rests against the skull itself while its inner side is next to the arachnoid meninges. The dura mater part is the slick, gray lining wrapped about the brain that is only slightly opaque and seems to act like cellophane to keep the moist brain tissues moistened with cerebrospinal fluid which serves "as a liquid shock absorber around the brain and spinal cord." [Johnson, Michael D. Human Biology Concepts and Issues. 2014. Print] 
3.  The bumps of the cerebrum, which are known as "gyri" and the grooves, which are termed "sulci" create a larger surface area while maintaining the most compact profile possible. Accordion folding is a natural design that engineers are adopting to enable storage of greater amounts of data. Brain tissues in this region process memories, reasoning, and perform higher functions that require or derive from this anatomical design. 
4.  Dark spider web tissues clinging to the surface structures of the sheep brain are part of the blood vessel network that provide a nourishing level of oxygen to the brain, which is vital for the functions that support life. The interior brain tissues are bathed not in blood but in cerebrospinalfluid (CSF) that circulates and can be found in the ventricles. This helps to regulate the brain in such a way that typically, but not always, keeps blood-borne pathogens and drugs from interfering with brain function.
5.  Examining the dissection of the sheep brain allows us to compare and think about the role of the pineal gland. In the sheep, like the human, this endocrine gland serves to regulate sleep patterns.Melatonin is a hormone that this gland can make or secrete so that humans and mammals get sleepy and can then perform a number of rejuvenating tasks during sleep. People who work the graveyard shifts are fighting their pineal gland's native intelligence that guides us for rest at night and alertness during the daytime hours. The pineal gland works in concert with other endocrine glands to regulate sex drive and other important functions. Flouridation of water in the drinking water supplies is reportedly having an adverse affect on human pineal glands. Research suggests a causational link between flouridation and calcification of the pineal gland in humans, which obviously lessens functionality. While one can certainly find reasons to support flouridation and it was originally propagated as a way to reduce dental caries in children, calcification of the pineal gland is no small risk.  There are a number of indications that radiation from cell phone use is also playing a role in diminished pineal gland function and disturbed sleep patterns. While our species will evolve and adapt to environmental influences over time, individual organisms will suffer in terms of function according to their genetic or constitutional predispositions and their exposure to environmental influences.

Adeloye M.B., B.S., C.P., F.R.C.S, Adelola and Felson M.D., Benjamin, “Incidence of Normal Pineal Gland Calcification in Skull Roentgenograms of Black and White Americans” American Journal of Roentgenology November 1974. Web. 5 April 2014 http://www.ajronline.org/doi/abs/10.2214/ajr.122.3.503


     6.    Ventricles are cavities or spaces within an organ such as the brain or heart through  which fluids are circulated. 

     7.     The cerebellum structure of the brain sits like a rock outcropping above the brain stem region at the back or base of the skull. Dancers, runners, and every person who enjoys fine motor skills can thank this part of their brains for providing us with balance and abilities to exhibit graceful, fluid and rapid physical movements. Alcohol has an adverse effect on this function, and the uncoordinated and sloppy movements so characteristic of people who have had too much to drink attest to the important job the cerebellum does for us.

     8.    The Thalamus and the Hypothalamus each perform important functions. They are neighbors in the center of the brain; the thalamus is larger and receives sensory information that it relays to the cerebrum. The hypothalamus actually is located under the thalamus and similarly monitors sensory signals such as what we see, smell, taste or hear. If our bodies feel cool or warm, the hypothalamus is going to be involved in modulating for homeostasis. When we recognize a hunger pang or sensation of being thirsty, the hypothalamus has been active.

     9.   The spinal cord, which is protected by the spinal column of bone vertebrae discs, has nerve tracts or bundles of axons on its outer borders. The mylenated wrapping for this is called white matter. Western science has alternately termed the non-mylenated structures of the spinal cord ( the neurons and neuroglial cells near the center of the spinal cord) as gray matter.  

   10.     I think I am very much surprised that my revulsion for anatomical dissection images has quietly abated. My revulsion for the sensory impressions of formaldyhyde however, is still strong and I do appreciate being able to observe and learn about brain structures without that assault on my senses.