Description
Anatomy of the Head and Spine is the part of a series of courses from Yale covering the anatomy of the entire body as well as the fundamentals of diagnostic imaging. It provides an in-depth exploration of the anatomical structures of the head and spine through a combination of theoretical instruction and virtual laboratory dissections.
Led by Professors Charles Duncan and Bill Stewart, the course begins with foundational knowledge of the spine, spinal cord, and vertebral regions, including their structural features, curvatures, and blood supply.
Subsequent modules focus on the skull, cranial nerves, brain, and associated structures, emphasizing detailed dissections of the cranial vault, facial nerve, and base of the brain. Students will analyze the brain’s lobes, vasculature, and cerebrospinal fluid pathways, as well as the relationships among cranial nerves, dural folds, and venous sinuses.
The course concludes with an examination of the skull base, nasal and paranasal structures, oral and pharyngeal cavities, and the upper airway, providing a comprehensive understanding of head and spine anatomy essential for advanced medical studies and clinical application.
Course Takeaways
- This course covers the spine, spinal cord, vertebrae, skull, cranial nerves, brain, vasculature, CSF pathways, skull base, sinuses, oral and airway.
Meet the Instructors
Dr. Stewart came to Yale in 1976 after earning a PhD in anatomy from Emory University. He began teaching anatomy in 1978. He teaches gross anatomy and neurobiology to medical, physician associate and nursing students, as well as paramedics. During that time he has taught more than 7,000 students. He is interested in both “hands on” learning in the lab as well as computer based learning. In his spare time, he follows football (Chelsea and Barcelona) and he cooks.
Full biography
Dr. Duncan graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1968 with a BA degree and received his medical degree from Duke University in 1972. He did his surgical internship from 1971-1972 at Duke and his neurosurgery residency, also at Duke, from 1972-1977. He joined the Yale faculty and the Yale-New Haven Hospital staff in 1977. He received his board certification in Neurosurgical Surgery in 1979. In 1978, he became Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Yale and has progressed through the academic ranks at the university to become Professor of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics in 1994. He spent 1985-1986 in Special Studies at the School of Organization and Management Group. He has established the only dedicated pediatric neurosurgical unit in the state, published over 100 articles, and has been the principal investigator or co-investigator in twenty funded research projects. He was the co-principal investigator for the Indomethacin Projects to prevent intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants, which has been adopted in over 75 countries. He has served on the Credentials Committee, Operating Room Work Redesign Committee, By-Laws Review, Risk Management and other hospital committees. He is the program director for the Neurosurgery Residency Program. After running one marathon, Dr. Duncan decided he preferred fly-fishing.
Full biography
