Brain Removal With an Occipital Hinge Preserving Overlying Anatomy

Brain removal during a gross anatomy course in medical school serves multiple purposes. It allows for the teaching of cranial vault anatomy, as well as the external brain, cranial nerves, and cerebral vasculature. Techniques to remove the brain while preserving these delicate structures generally damage the overlying anatomy of the dura and suboccipital triangle. Even though brain removal usually comes later in most gross anatomy courses, with the suboccipital triangle being taught at the beginning, it is still beneficial to preserve previously dissected structures, not only for use in cumulative practical assessments but also for additional teaching opportunities. Shrinking the availability of time and money has prompted anatomy departments to identify and develop potential areas for shared resources to teach medical students in clerkships, residents, and allied health professionals. The ideal brain removal technique would safely remove the brain, preserving its structure, cranial nerves, and vasculature, while also preserving an intact dura and suboccipital triangle. We present an occipital hinge technique of brain removal that preserves the cranial nerves and vasculature, as well as an intact, in situ dura, without damaging previously dissected suboccipital triangles.