Teaching Professor and Lecturer in Anatomical Sciences, Medical School
Human Neuroanatomy
What You'll Learn
- Identify the components of the central and peripheral nervous systems.
- Describe how sensory information reaches the brain and how motor commands are relayed to the muscles.
- Understand the connections among components of the nervous system.
8 Modules
16 Hours
2 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About Human Neuroanatomy
By regulating communication, sensory input, and control, the nervous system plays a pivotal role in how we take in information, both voluntarily and involuntarily. Human Neuroanatomy provides an introduction to the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Topics include the gross anatomy of the nervous system, the spinal cord, spinal nerves and reflexes, the brainstem and cranial nerves, the autonomic nervous system, the cerebral cortex, the diencephalon, the limbic system, and the sensory and motor systems.
This is the third course in the Anatomy course series, an introduction to the major functions of the human body, from the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, to the function of the heart, lungs, and hormonal pathways.
Skills You'll Gain
- Anatomy
- Cranial Nerves
- Neuroanatomy
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Motor Skills
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
In this course, you will explore the anatomy and organization of the nervous system using a systems-based approach. Topics include the gross anatomy of the central and peripheral nervous systems, the spinal cord and spinal nerves, reflexes, the brainstem and cranial nerves, the autonomic nervous system, sensory and motor pathways, and major brain regions including the diencephalon, limbic system, and cerebral cortex. You will also examine how nervous system structures support communication, sensation, movement, and homeostasis. By the end of the course, you will have an anatomical foundation for future study of neuroanatomy and related health sciences.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: Welcome and Gross Anatomy of the Nervous System
- Lesson 0: Welcome to Neuroanatomy
- Reading: Course Introduction
- Reading: Course Resources & Syllabus
- Reading: Help Us Know More About You
- Reading: Foundational Anatomy Content
- Practice Assignment: Foundational Anatomy Content
- Lesson 1: Introduction to the Nervous System
- Video: Gross Anatomy of the Nervous System: Introduction (1)
- Video: Gross Anatomy of the Nervous System: Introduction (2)
- Lesson 2: CNS Gross Anatomy
- Video: CNS Gross Anatomy: Cortical Lobes & Landmarks
- Practice Assignment: Gross Anatomy Practice Quiz
- Lesson 3: CNS Meninges
- Video: CNS Gross Anatomy: Meninges, Dura Mater
- Video: CNS Gross Anatomy: Meninges, Arachnoid and Pia Mater
- Lesson 4: CNS Vasculature
- Video: CNS Vasculature (1)
- Video: CNS Vasculature (2)
- Lesson 5: CNS Ventricular System
- Video: CNS Ventricular System (1)
- Video: CNS Ventricular System (2)
- Practice Assignment: Vasculature and Ventricular Practice Quiz
- Lesson 6: Neurohistology
- Video: Neurohistology 1 (Neurons)
- Video: Neurohistology 2 (Neuroglia)
- Lesson 7: Neurodevelopment
- Video: Neurodevelopment (1): Neurulation
- Video: Neurodevelopment (2): Formation of the CNS
- Video: Neurodevelopment (3): Neural Crest
- Practice Assignment: Neurohistology and Neurodevelopment Quiz
- Graded Assignment: Gross Anatomy Assessment
- Reading: Preview of Modules 2–8
Module 2: Spinal Cord
- Lesson 1: Spinal Cord (SC) Gross Anatomy
- Video: Spinal Cord Gross Anatomy
- Lesson 2: SC Gray & White Matter
- Video: Gray & White Matter (1)
- Video: Gray & White Matter (2)
- Practice Assignment: Spinal Cord Gross Anatomy and Gray and White Matter Quiz
- Lesson 3: Spinal Cord Peripheral Nerves
- Video: Spinal Cord Peripheral Nerves (1)
- Video: Spinal Cord Peripheral Nerves (2)
- Video: Spinal Cord Peripheral Nerves (3)
- Lesson 4: Spinal Cord Reflexes
- Video: Spinal Cord Reflexes
- Practice Assignment: Peripheral Nerves and Reflexes Quiz
- Graded Assignment: Spinal Cord Assessment
Module 3: Motor Systems
- Lesson 1: Motor Systems Introduction
- Video: Motor Systems Introduction
- Lesson 2: Motor Systems Direct
- Video: Motor Systems Direct
- Lesson 3: Motor Systems Indirect
- Video: Motor Systems Indirect
- Practice Assignment: Motor Systems Direct and Indirect Quiz
- Lesson 4: Motor Systems Basal Nuclei
- Video: Motor Systems Basal Nuclei
- Video: Motor Systems Basal Nuclei Circuitry
- Lesson 5: Motor Systems Cerebellum
- Video: Motor Systems Cerebellum
- Practice Assignment: Motor Systems Basal Nuclei and Cerebellum Quiz
- Graded Assignment: Motor Systems Assessment
Module 4: Autonomics
- Lesson 1: Autonomic Nervous System Introduction
- Video: Autonomic Nervous System Introduction
- Lesson 2: Sympathetic Nervous System
- Video: Sympathetic Nervous System
- Lesson 3: Parasympathetic Nervous System
- Video: Parasympathetic Nervous System
- Graded Assignment: Autonomics Assessment
Module 5: Sensory Systems
- Lesson 1: Sensory Systems Introduction
- Video: Sensory Systems Introduction
- Lesson 2: Sensory Systems Gross Touch
- Video: Sensory Systems Gross Touch
- Lesson 3: Sensory Systems Fine Touch
- Video: Sensory Systems Fine Touch
- Graded Assignment: Sensory Systems Assessment
Module 6: Brain Stem & Cranial Nerves
- Lesson 1: Brain Stem
- Video: Brain Stem & Reticular Formation
- Lesson 2: Cranial Nerves Introduction
- Video: Cranial Nerves Introduction
- Practice Assignment: Brain Stem Quiz
- Lesson 3: Cranial Nerves Special Senses
- Video: Cranial Nerves Special Senses
- Lesson 4: Cranial Nerves Extraocular
- Video: Cranial Nerves Extraocular
- Lesson 5: Cranial Nerves Face
- Video: Cranial Nerves Face
- Lesson 6: Cranial Nerves Pharynx & Tongue
- Video: Cranial Nerves Pharynx & Tongue
- Lesson 7: Cranial Nerves Parasympathetic
- Video: Cranial Nerves Parasympathetic
- Practice Assignment: Cranial Nerves Quiz
- Graded Assignment: Brain Stem and Cranial Nerves Assessment
Module 7: Special Senses
- Lesson 1: Special Senses Introduction
- Video: Special Senses Introduction
- Lesson 2: Anatomy of the Ear
- Video: Anatomy of the Ear
- Video: Vestibular Static Equilibrium
- Video: Vestibular Dynamic Equilibrium
- Practice Assignment: Ear and Vestibular Quiz
- Video: Auditory Cochlea Anatomy
- Video: Auditory Pathways
- Practice Assignment: Auditory Quiz
- Lesson 3: Anatomy of the Eye
- Video: Visual Eye Anatomy
- Video: Visual Pathways
- Practice Assignment: Visual Quiz
- Graded Assignment: Special Senses Assessment
Module 8: Cortex
- Lesson 1: Cerebral Cortex Introduction
- Video: Cerebral Cortex Introduction
- Lesson 2: Subcortical White Matter
- Video: Subcortical White Matter
- Lesson 3: Diencephalon
- Video: Thalamus
- Video: Hypothalamus
- Lesson 4: Limbic System
- Video: Limbic System
- Lesson 5: Hippocampal Formation
- Video: Hippocampal Formation
- Lesson 6: Amygdala
- Video: Amygdala
- Graded Assignment: Cortex Assessment
Course Wrap-Up
- Reading: Post-Course Survey
- Reading: Keep Learning with Michigan Online
Grading Policy
Course materials and assignments are available for self-paced learning. To pass the course and earn the certificate, you must achieve an overall grade of 80% or higher.
The course includes eight graded quizzes totaling 70 questions. Together, these questions account for 100% of the course grade. Each quiz is weighted according to the number of questions it contains.
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
Beginner Level
No prior experience required
