Assignment 3

Foundational Model of Neuroanatomy

Choose a chapter from the Neuroanatomy Interactive Syllabus, and select an image of a brain structure of interest to you. Read the text that accompanies the image, and answer these questions based on the recommended readings and the various Foundational Model Tools developed by the Structural Informatics Group.

1. Make a list of the terms that in your opinion designate anatomical concepts;

2. Make another list of the terms that in your opinion designate non-anatomical concepts (i.e., you would not include them in an anatomy ontology);

3. If you wish, you may make a third list of terms about which you are undecided.

4. Classify the anatomical terms of your choice according to the principles of the Foundational Model (FM).

The neuroanatomy component of the FM is not well represented in the modeling tools on Structural Informatics Group demo page. Some of the anatomical terms are already included in the FM, others you will need to classify. You may present this information in a format according to your best judgement. We ask you to record not only the immediate parent of the term in the Anatomy ontology, but its higher order ancestors as well. Use your judgement about the granularity of the information you want to include in your answer.

Exercise flexibly in that rather than looking for precise matches, provide the "best" answers by using common sense to guess the "best" match between text terms and FM terms. For example, you are unlikely to find an exact match for "intercostal spaces”. Be satisfied with "intercostal space". Likewise, the context makes it clear that the term "apical segment" refers to a part of the lung. Although you are unlikely to find this exact term in the FM, knowing the part-whole information should enable you to match the terms that in both text and FM refer to the same concept.

Post your answers on the class Discussion Forum as part of the Foundational Model of Neuroanatomy thread. Include any annotation you like to provide explanations to justify your decisions. Feel free to work with other students, but each person should submit their own answers. Also, please respond to other students' postings if you have comments or suggestions.

Stu Yarfitz