Human Body Gallery

Purkinje nerve cells in the cerebellum

Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. Fluorescent light micrograph of Purkinje cells (green) in the cerebellum of the brain. Purkinje nerve cells have a flask-like body from which numerous highly branched dendrites extend. They are found in the grey matter (cortex) of the cerebellum, at the boundary between the granular layer (blue red) and the molecular layer (red green). The dendrites relay signals to the cell body, which passes them on through its single axon (green) in the granular layer. The cerebellum is a structure at the base of the brain that plays an important role in motor control, sensory perception and learning. Magnification: x380 when printed 10cm wide

© THOMAS DEERINCK, NCMIR/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Advanced MRI brain scan

Advanced MRI brain scan. This 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of a normal human brain has been produced by the 3T MRI scanner at Neurospin, one of the most advanced MRI research centres in the world. The front of the brain is at left. The coloured lines indicate the many neural pathways that exist in the brain. Neurospin has 3T and 7T scanners. The T designations refer to the magnetic field strengths of 3 Tesla and 7 Tesla. These are extremely strong magnetic fields, and hence this technique is known as ultra high-field magnetic resonance imaging. The high magnetic field strength allows detailed examination of the brain and brain disorders. Neurospin was founded in 2006, and is located near Paris, France

© Philippe Psaila/Science Photo Library

Foot anatomy by Leonardo da Vinci

Foot anatomy by Leonardo da Vinci. Historicalartwork and notes on the anatomy of the bones ofthe human foot, by the Italian artist andscientist Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). Theartworks show the foot from underneath, bothsides, and above. The articulation of the legbones with the foot bones is shown, and the lowerleg (upper right) and shoulder (upper centre) arealso shown. Da Vinci is the first person known tohave made detailed studies of anatomy and theproportions of the human body. The notes are anexample of his mirror writing, where he wrotebackwards, from right to left. The writing can beread normally if viewed in a mirror

© Sheila Terry/Science Photo Library