Intersecting Minds

Posture Pathways

by Lauren Jones

The illustration titled “Posture Pathways” visually represents the neurological pathways involved in posture. It features a detailed portrait of a young white woman with blonde hair, shown in a three-quarter view facing toward the center of the page. The right side of her face is exposed, revealing cross-sections of the brain. These include a mid-sagittal cut (showing the brainstem, pons, cerebellum, and left eyeball) and a coronal cut at the inner ear level, exposing the ear canal, inner ear system, and the vestibulocochlear cranial nerve. On the left side of the image, a simplified vector drawing illustrates the anterior brainstem, half of the cerebellum, an eye with associated muscles, a slice of spinal cord, the vestibular apparatus and lateral post-central gyrus of the brain. The brainstem pathways are colour-coded: the vestibulospinal tract is green, the vestibulocerebellar tract is blue, the vestibulo-ocular reflex is pink, and the vestibulo-thalamo-cortical pathway is purple. The title “Posture Pathways” appears at the bottom left, with a small paragraph providing background knowledge of the pathways and cranial nerves. The image features soft pink tones, with brighter accents in yellow, green, and vivid pathway lines. The font is Hatch Sans, a modern, clean sans-serif in various weights.

Artist Statement

Poster Pathways explores the invisible yet essential neural processes that control posture and balance, highlighting the vestibular system’s intricate pathways. This piece engages with the theme of “Sensing the Unseen” by making visible the neurological connections that allow us to maintain posture and navigate the world with balance and awareness. The work focuses on four key vestibular pathways: the vestibulospinal tract, vestibulocerebellar tract, vestibulo-ocular reflex, and vestibulo-thalamo-cortical pathway, illustrating how they interact to control unconscious and conscious postural adjustments.

Through this work, I aim to summarize and compile the often fragmented and complex nature of these neural pathways into a unified visual narrative. I created 3D maquettes in ZBrush from CT scans to accurately render the structures, then used Procreate and Adobe Illustrator to blend detailed realism with simplified diagrams. The portrait with the in-situ brain provides context for the neuroanatomy, offering a unique perspective to explore, while the didactic image of the pathways guides the viewer through the relationships between key structures. The use of light colors and the combination of realistic and didactic illustration is designed to enhance both understanding and engagement for those learning these pathways.

This work serves as both an educational tool and a visual exploration, striving to bridge the gap between the scientific precision of the vestibular system and the creative representation of its unseen function in human life.

Artist Bio

Throughout my life, I’ve explored the intersection of science and visual art, seeking to make complex concepts more accessible and engaging. As a graduate student in the Master of Science in Biomedical Communications (MScBMC) program, I am honing my skills to help bridge the gap between the scientific community and the public, especially in an era marked by misinformation. My work aims to make science not only understandable but also visually compelling. Outside of my studies, you can find me curled up with a good book and hot chocolate, spending time with my allergy-prone pets, or hiking a West Coast mountain when the weather allows.