07.20.16 The Museum of Neuroanatomy at the University of Buffalo in New York

Wednesday, July 20, 2016 –  I have a deep personal interest in the human brain, what it looks like, what makes it work, and what does it look like when it doesn’t work.  When I found out that, near our RV park in Buffalo New York, a museum with actual brains existed I wanted to go!  I contacted the Professor, Dr. Christopher Cohan, curator of the Brain Museum as well as teaching 2nd year medical students about the human brain.  He was quite nice, and said yes we could come visit which is what we did today.

Remember all the photos are clickable to see them larger.  Who wouldn’t love to see a brain larger!!!

The University of Buffalo, South Campus is a really nice campus and it was kinda cool to be back on a college campus.  What I remember of our old Biology building was that it smelled like formaldahyde, this one didn’t!!

He allowed me to actually hold a human brain (with gloves on of course).  It was heavier than I thought it would be and really cool! Kind of looked like molded cooked chicken!

I had to throw these next two in just to show you I did enjoy holding it!  It took a bit to get use to thinking I was holding a brain! Chris spent two hours with us explaining so much about the brain as we walked throughout the museum.  It’s such a complicated body organ.

The Museum of Neuroanatomy is dedicated to the study of the brain.  It consists of specimens, models, photographs, x-rays, brain images and other exhibits.  The museum serves as a learning experience for medical students as well as being open to the general public.

The museum’s collection focuses on the anatomy of the normal human brain in undissected and dissected preparation.  Imagine a whole room full of brains both normal and diseased. Somewhere around 90 to be a little more exact.

We got to see what a brain looks like after a major stroke.  The one we saw has a large hole in it from the dead area affected by the stroke.

We also got to see what an Alzheimers brain looks like.  I now have better understanding about the grey matter that is so important to healthy braining functioning but is slowly eaten away over time for someone with Alzheimers.

We also got to see what a brain tumor looks like.  Knowing that a friend of mine is experiencing this made it more important to me.

Seeing is a big part of understanding and seeing today the various parts of a brain that are not exactly perfect in my brain was very helpful.  Chris explained things in terms of what a specific part of a brain is responsible for rather than just using the name of the part.  I can imagine that his medical students love having him as a Professor.  Here he is in front of the showcases.

There is a section in the museum about aneurysms with examples of aneurysms on brain parts and in a blood vessel.  There was a small display that showed what abdomen, heart and brain stints look like and how much they cost.  He opened up the showcase to take out the tubing with wiring in it that is used by neurosurgeons to get to damaged brain parts.  He pulled the tiny wire out of the tubing and then pushed what’s inside the wiring out.  Wow, it could get into even the tiniest of spaces.

First picture is a vein Aneurysm.

Different types of stints, the white circle of tubing contains what’s shown in the last two photos in this group.

Roy went today for me, but I believe he came away having learned a lot and enjoyed himself!  If you’re ever in the Buffalo, NY area and are interested in a tour send Chris an email at ccohan@buffalo.edu.  Give him as much notice as you can, preferably a week.

Thanks Chris for the great tour and all you allowed us to see and do!

On Tuesday we went to Goats Island by Niagara Falls and saw all of it from a different perspective.  The brain visit was so cool I had to publish it first!

Ya’ll come back now, ya’ hear!

Click on the links below to go there!

Wacky Wonderful Wednesdays published on Wednesdays

Some Things I Learned About Dementia published randomly