Emulating the periodic table: A unified list of CNS terms and abbreviations for humans and experimental animals

Unlike chemistry, which has the periodic table for abbreviations of the elements, neuroscience does not have agreed-upon abbreviations, even when neuroanatomical terminology is agreed upon. Neuroscientists at times mint abbreviations with little reference to what others do, resulting in parochial and haphazard schemes that clash when the entire central nervous system (CNS) is considered. In this article, we present the rationale for a unified, non-conflicting system of terms and abbreviations that spans species and development, covering CNS nuclei, tracts, nerves, and blood vessels, as well as related features of the peripheral nervous system and skull. Inspired by the logic of the periodic table, our rules generate concise, recognizable abbreviations, with homologous structures sharing the same term and abbreviation across species. Our associated online resource provides a list of over 3300 terms and abbreviations for humans, monkeys, rodents, and birds, designed to improve clarity in diagrams, text, and oral communication.