Stereotaxic Technics is a term commonly used in neuroscience research, and it is pronounced /ˌstɛrɪəʊˈtæksɪk/ /ˈtɛknɪks/. The word "stereotaxic" comes from the Greek words "stereos" meaning solid and "taxis" meaning arrangement or order. The spelling of the word is unique to the field and is often misspelled as "stereotaxic techniques." Stereotaxic technics refer to the use of a stereotaxic apparatus to accurately target specific areas within the brain for experimental procedures.
Stereotaxic techniques, also known as stereotaxic surgery or stereotactic surgery, refer to a set of precise and standardized procedures used in neurosurgery and neuroscience research to precisely locate and target specific areas within the brain. This technique allows researchers to accurately position small electrodes, cannulas, or other instruments in the brain of a living organism, often rodents, with high precision and minimal damage to surrounding tissues.
The procedure involves the use of a stereotaxic instrument, which acts as a three-dimensional coordinate system to guide the insertion of instruments into the brain. This instrument contains a frame with adjustable arms and an anesthesia nose cone to immobilize the animal and ensure accuracy. The coordinate system is based on reference points within the skull or brain, such as bregma or lambda, which are known anatomical landmarks.
Stereotaxic techniques are employed in a variety of applications, including neurophysiological studies, drug delivery, lesion creation, and deep brain stimulation. By precisely targeting specific brain areas, researchers can investigate neuronal function, study brain circuits, induce behavioral changes, and perform therapeutic interventions. The accuracy of stereotaxic techniques enables replication and comparison of results across different experiments or organisms.
Overall, stereotaxic techniques have revolutionized neuroscientific research and have become an essential tool for exploring the complex structures and functions of the brain.
The word "stereotaxic" is derived from the Greek words "stereos" meaning "solid" or "three-dimensional" and "taxis" meaning "arrangement" or "order". The term was first used in the early 20th century in the field of neurology to describe a technique that involves precisely targeting specific structures in the brain using a three-dimensional coordinate system.
The word "technics" is derived from the Greek word "tekhnē" meaning "art" or "skill". In this context, it refers to the technical or procedural aspects of the stereotaxic technique.
Therefore, "stereotaxic technics" essentially refers to the technical procedures involved in the precise three-dimensional targeting of structures within the brain.