Median Section Of The Head

Quick Answer: The median section of the head is a model of the human head cut in the midline, also called a midsagittal section. It shows the brain, nasal cavity, mouth, pharynx, larynx and upper spinal cord in one view and is used in anatomy, nursing and dental teaching.

What a Midline Cut Reveals

A median section divides the head into left and right halves along the midline, so structures that lie in the centre are cut lengthways. On such a model the cerebrum is seen from its inner surface, with the corpus callosum arching across, and below it the thalamus, the pituitary gland in its bony seat, the brainstem and the cerebellum with its branching, tree-like white matter. The spinal cord continues down through the vertebral canal.

The front half of the section follows the air and food passages. Depending on the exact plane, the model shows either the nasal septum or, just beside it, the side wall of the nose with its conchae, and behind them the nasopharynx leads down to the oropharynx and laryngopharynx. The hard and soft palate separate the nose from the mouth, and the tongue fills the oral cavity. Further down, the epiglottis stands over the entrance to the larynx, with the trachea in front of the oesophagus, which shows why swallowing and breathing share a crossroads.

The title gives no size, number of parts or material. Models of this type are sometimes a single half-head and sometimes have a removable brain half. For the same region in horizontal slices, see the head and neck model with horizontal sections.

Applications

• Anatomy teaching of the midline structures of the brain, including the corpus callosum, pituitary and brainstem
• Nursing and paramedic lessons on the airway and the path of nasogastric and airway tubes
• Dental and ear, nose and throat teaching on the palate, nasopharynx and adenoids
• Explaining the swallowing reflex and why food can enter the airway

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Stand the half-head on its flat cut face or its base; resting it on the curved outer surface lets it roll off the bench.
• Clean the cut face with a soft, barely damp cloth, working around the painted brain and airway detail.
• Cover the model or keep it in a closed cabinet between terms so dust does not settle in the recesses of the nasal cavity.

Why Choose LabEquip

Nursing schools, anatomy departments and dental colleges use a midline head section to tie the brain and the airway together in one lesson. The model is listed in LabEquip’s biology lab products; for questions on the form supplied, reach LabEquip through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a median section?

It is a cut along the midline of the body that divides it into equal left and right halves. A cut parallel to it but off the midline is called a parasagittal section. Median sections are popular in anatomy because many important structures lie exactly in the midline.

How does the model help when teaching nasogastric tube insertion?

The median section shows the path a tube takes: along the floor of the nasal cavity, down through the nasopharynx and oropharynx, and into the oesophagus rather than the larynx, which lies in front of it. Students can see why a swallow at the right moment helps guide the tube away from the airway.

Where is the pituitary gland?

It sits in a hollow of the sphenoid bone called the sella turcica, just below the brain and behind the nasal cavity, and hangs from the hypothalamus by a stalk. On a median section the gland and its bony seat are visible in the centre of the skull base.

Why does food sometimes go down the wrong way?

The pharynx carries both air and food. During swallowing the soft palate rises to close off the nose, the larynx lifts and the epiglottis tips over its entrance. If this sequence is mistimed, for example when talking while eating, food or liquid can enter the larynx and trigger coughing.

What are the adenoids?

They are the pharyngeal tonsil, a patch of lymphoid tissue on the back wall of the nasopharynx. In children they can enlarge and block the airway behind the nose, leading to mouth breathing and snoring. A median section shows exactly where they lie.

How is this different from a horizontal section model?

A median section shows the head from the side, which suits following the airway and the brain from front to back. A horizontal section model cuts across the head at several levels, matching the view of CT and MRI scans. Many courses use both.

Last Updated: September 2026