Central nervous system

Abstract This chapter covers the basic anatomical knowledge of the central nervous system (CNS) required for the MRCEM Primary Examination. The chapter covers the anatomy of the brain, including the cerebral hemispheres (with outline of cortical areas and pathways), the cerebellum, brainstem, cerebral vasculature, and outline of clinical features arising from certain defects in these areas. The chapter goes on to discuss the anatomy of the spinal cord, its divisions, and its blood supply, along with spinal cord lesion syndromes. All of the information maps to the RCEM Basic Sciences syllabus, making it relevant to Emergency Medicine practice and the examination.