Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Neuron Structure

Neuron Structure

Neurons are the main type of cell in the nervous system that generate and transmit electrochemical signals. They primarily communicate with each other using neurotransmitters at specific junctions called synapses. Neurons come in many shapes that often relate to their function, but most share three main structures: an axon and dendrites that extend out from a cell body.
Structure and Function of Neurons
The neuronal cell body—the soma— houses the nucleus and organelles vital to...

Neuron Structure

Neuron Structure

Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles

Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles

There are hollow fluid-filled cavities known as ventricles deep inside the human brain. There are two lateral ventricles, one in each cerebral hemisphere, and each has three different projections — the anterior, inferior, and posterior horns visible from the lateral side. A thin membrane called the septum pellucidum separates the two lateral ventricles. The slender third ventricle in the diencephalon is connected to each lateral ventricle via a channel called the interventricular foramen.

Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II

Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview II

Each cerebral hemisphere can be divided into three main regions. The outermost region, the cerebral cortex, is a thin layer (2 to 4 millimeters thick) made up of gray matter, consisting of neuron cell bodies, dendrites, glial cells, and blood vessels. The middle region, or white matter, is primarily composed of myelinated nerve fibers organized into three types of large tracts: association fibers, commissures, and projection fibers. Association fibers connect different areas within the same...

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...

Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy

Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy

The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Evaluation of the diffusion time dependence of the IVIM effect based on realistic capillary flow simulations in mouse brain.

Magma (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Same author

Multiplexed optoacoustic tracking and magnetic actuation of labeled blood cells in living mice.

Science advances·2026

Same author

ECgo: All-optical induction of single endothelial cell injury and capillary occlusion in the brain.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026

Same author

Intrinsic endothelial remodeling drives brain capillary repair.

Neuron·2026

Same author

Astroglial disinhibition of cortical circuits disrupts cognition via kynurenic acid in mice.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

Double-helix optical point spread function enables real-time mesoscopic 3D functional microangiography in the living mouse brain and skull.

Nature communications·2026

Same journal

Lifespan Trajectories of the Brain's Functional Complexity Characterized by Multiscale Sample Entropy.

NeuroImage·2026

Same journal

Pleasant fragrance modulates dyadic social sharing of positive emotion: Sharer-centered socioemotional enhancement effect and its neural couplings.

NeuroImage·2026

Same journal

Altered Functional Hierarchical and Sequential Organization in Individuals with Schizophrenia during Auditory Processing.

NeuroImage·2026

Same journal

Mechanical Deformation Explains Distinct Neuroimaging Patterns and Etiologies in Brain Trauma.

NeuroImage·2026

Same journal

Ventral striatum temporal interference brain stimulation enhances the reward-positivity event-related potential and reduces anxiety.

NeuroImage·2026

Same journal

NeuroHarm‑Kit: An Open‑Source Toolbox for Benchmarking Deep‑Learning Harmonization of Multi‑Site T1‑Weighted MRI.

NeuroImage·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Published on: October 4, 2018

Vascular density and distribution in neocortex.

Franca Schmid¹, Matthew J P Barrett², Patrick Jenny¹

¹Institute of Fluid Dynamics, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.

|July 4, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The cerebral cortex relies on a complex vascular system for energy. This review details cortical vasculature anatomy, blood flow, and oxygenation, crucial for brain function and fMRI.

Keywords:

Cerebral oxygenation Cortical microvasculature Hemodynamic response Laminar characteristics Neurovascular coupling Vascular density

More Related Videos

Large-scale Three-dimensional Imaging of Cellular Organization in the Mouse Neocortex

Large-scale Three-dimensional Imaging of Cellular Organization in the Mouse Neocortex

Published on: September 5, 2018

A Comparative Approach for Quantitative Cell Counting Studies in Widely Different Mammalian Brains

A Comparative Approach for Quantitative Cell Counting Studies in Widely Different Mammalian Brains

Published on: January 16, 2026

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Analyzing the Size, Shape, and Directionality of Networks of Coupled Astrocytes

Published on: October 4, 2018

Large-scale Three-dimensional Imaging of Cellular Organization in the Mouse Neocortex

Large-scale Three-dimensional Imaging of Cellular Organization in the Mouse Neocortex

Published on: September 5, 2018

A Comparative Approach for Quantitative Cell Counting Studies in Widely Different Mammalian Brains

A Comparative Approach for Quantitative Cell Counting Studies in Widely Different Mammalian Brains

Published on: January 16, 2026

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Neurovascular Coupling
Cerebral Cortex Anatomy

Background:

Complex behaviors arise from the cerebral cortex, particularly neocortical circuits spanning six layers.
Neocortical circuit activity demands significant oxygen and energy substrates supplied by the vascular system.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a detailed characterization of the anatomical and functional features of the cortical vasculature.
To review data on laminar variation in vascular density and microvascular topology.
To discuss the regulation of cortical blood flow and oxygenation, and their implications for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Main Methods:

Review of existing anatomical and functional data on cortical vasculature.
Compilation of data on laminar vascular density and microvascular topology.
Analysis of spatio-temporal dynamics in cortical blood flow and oxygenation regulation.

Main Results:

Detailed characterization of cortical vascular anatomy, including laminar variations in density.
Overview of the topological aspects of the cortical microvascular system.
Discussion of poorly understood aspects of cortical blood flow and oxygenation dynamics.

Conclusions:

The cortical vascular system is complex, well-organized, and tightly regulated, essential for brain function.
Understanding vascular density, distribution, oxygenation, and blood flow is critical for interpreting neuroimaging data, especially laminar fMRI.