Towards a Terminologia Neuroanatomica.

Area of Science:

• Anatomical Terminology
• Neuroanatomy
• Histology

Background:

• The Terminologia Anatomica (TA, 1998) and Terminologia Histologica (TH, 2008) provided foundational anatomical and histological terminology.
• Previous terminology for the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) required comprehensive updating.
• The Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminology (FIPAT) recognized the need for a unified neuroanatomical lexicon.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and detail the Terminologia Neuroanatomica (TNA), a revised and unified terminology for neuroanatomy.
• To outline the significant differences between the new TNA and the existing Terminologia Anatomica (TA).
• To establish an official FIPAT Terminology for CNS and PNS structures.

Main Methods:

• Extensive revision and merging of CNS and PNS sections by the FIPAT Working Group Neuroanatomy.
• Consultation and discussion among FIPAT and International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA) Member Societies.
• Validation of the TNA by the IFAA Executive Meeting in September 2016.

Main Results:

• The TNA was successfully developed, integrating terminology for both the CNS and PNS.
• The TNA has been officially adopted as the FIPAT Terminology.
• The TNA represents a significant update and consolidation of neuroanatomical terms compared to the TA.

Conclusions:

• The Terminologia Neuroanatomica (TNA) provides a standardized and updated framework for neuroanatomical terminology.
• This unified terminology facilitates clearer communication and understanding in the fields of anatomy and neuroscience.
• The TNA is now accessible on the FIPAT website as the official FIPAT Terminology.