White matter microdissection of the medial aspect of the brain: 2-dimensional video demonstration

Abstract Background White matter microdissection represents a valuable method for studying the three-dimensional organization of the human brain. Building on Klingler’s classical technique, this approach has regained importance as both a research and educational tool in microneurosurgery. While the white matter dissection of the lateral aspect of the brain has been extensively described, the medial surface has received comparatively less attention. This article represents the second part of a three-paper series on white matter microdissection. It provides a structured, step-by-step demonstration of the dissection of the medial aspect of the brain, with a specific focus on the limbic lobe. As in the first paper, the core content is the supplementary video, which, through editing and annotation, has an enhanced didactic value. Methods The dissection was performed according to the Klingler technique and recorded during the 8th Sulci, Gyri, Ventricles and Fiber Dissection Hands-on Course (Taipei, 2025). The procedure was conducted under microscopic magnification and edited into a didactic video presentation. All identifiable participants provided informed consent for publication. Results The dissection proceeds through nine main stages, beginning with the identification of the medial sulci and gyri and continuing with the sequential removal of cortical layers and white matter bundles. This systematic approach exposes the cingulum, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, callosal fibers, hippocampal formation, tapetum, thalamic peduncles, and mammillothalamic tract, illustrating the organization of the limbic lobe and the relationships between major white matter tracts and the ventricular walls. Conclusion This work presents a comprehensive and didactic video demonstration of the medial hemispheric white matter dissection, highlighting the continuity and spatial relationships of limbic and periventricular structures. It contributes to a systematic and anatomically grounded understanding of cerebral white matter organization and supports the educational role of white matter microdissection in neurosurgical anatomy.