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Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy

Published in:

01-07-2011 | Original Article

Anatomy of the human nucleus accumbens: a combined morphometric study

Authors: Ioannis Mavridis, Efstathios Boviatsis, Sophia Anagnostopoulou

Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Issue 5/2011

Abstract

Purpose

The human nucleus accumbens (NA), which belongs to the basal ganglia of the brain, is the main part of the ventral striatum. The purpose of our clinically oriented anatomical-radiologic study was to provide anatomical and imaging data of the human NA, primarily useful to neurosurgeons.

Methods

For our imaging study, we used cerebral magnetic resonance images (MRIs) from 26 neurosurgical patients (52 NAs). The material for our anatomic study consisted of 32 cerebral hemispheres (32 NAs) from 18 normal human brains which we have in our department (Department of Anatomy) from cadaver donors. We measured and analyzed the dimensions of the NA at specific clinically important transverse, coronal and sagittal levels.

Results

The human NA suffers from age-related but no side- or sex-related morphometric changes. In surgically important stereotactic levels this nucleus is easily identifiable on MRIs.

Conclusions

We present an anatomic guide of the NA from carefully measured data of our extensive and combined study and we hope that our work will be really helpful to neuroscientists interested in the NA.

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Title: Anatomy of the human nucleus accumbens: a combined morphometric study
Authors: Ioannis Mavridis
Efstathios Boviatsis
Sophia Anagnostopoulou
Publication date: 01-07-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy / Issue 5/2011
Print ISSN: 0930-1038
Electronic ISSN: 1279-8517
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-010-0766-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Anatomy of the human nucleus accumbens: a combined morphometric study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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