Neuroanatomy of the calf brain as revealed by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging

Here, we want to assess the benefit of high-resolution and high-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detailed documentation of internal brain morphology in formalin-fixed whole head specimens of the full-term calf brain (Bos taurus). Imaging was performed on a Siemens 1.5 T scanner. Optimum contrast was achieved using a 3D sequence with a flip angle of 30°, repetition time (TR) of 20 ms, echo time (TE) of 6.8 ms, and an interpolated matrix of 1024 × 1024. In plane resolution was 0.25 mm. Computer-generated three-dimensional images were reconstructed from the original scans in the coronal plane. This study shows that MRI is capable to identify delicate structures in immature brain specimens. The use of MRI in comparative morphology facilitates the examination of series of brains or brain samples in a reasonable time. The comprehensive description of species- and group-specific brain features in MRI scans of Bos taurus will complement existing data for diagnostic imaging and neuromorphological research, in general, as well as for phylogenetic reconstructions. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.