How Neurosurgeons Navigate Inside The Brain

Go subscribe to Brainbook! / @brainbook or start with Alex's video on a day in the life of a neurosurgeon on call: • Day in the life - Neur...
The brain is a mass of neurons, but some areas are more important than others. How can surgeons navigate inside the brain? How do they know exactly where to operate, and what to do? Alex from Brainbook explains.

[@Demiglitch]

This makes me glad that I don’t have a brain.

[@keeper1h]

Good for you, then! 😆

[@haze7161]

I don’t think I’ve ever laughed this much at a comment

[@trefod]

Epic!

[@stoic6512]

Not true. Everyone has a brain.

[@fiazbot5921]

@@stoic6512 r/wooosh

[@SoloJona]

"We need to be very careful" *RAMS A DRILL INTO SKULL*

[@Brainbook]

I'll be honest. The skull doesn't care.

[@xureality]

@@Brainbook the brain behind it certainly does though

[@skootz24]

@@xureality Spooky as it looks I'd take that over those old hand crank drills any day. Now THOSE things would probably rattle your cage right up!

[@Amateur0Visionary]

@@Brainbook Very nice work, sir. If only you could fix my brain. What surgery do you recommend for depersonalization/derealization disorder ;)

[@Colopty]

As the text box mentioned during the drilling, it has safety mechanisms that makes it stop drilling the moment it's through the skull, so it's not like they're gonna accidentally turn your brain into sludge.

[@MedlifeCrisis]

It's not exactly rocket science though is it?

[@HermanVonPetri]

Mitchel & Webb :)

[@KingJellyfishII]

that.. was a terrible pun. But it's so bad it's wrapped round again and it's good again

[@MedlifeCrisis]

@@KingJellyfishII that is my entire comedy style

[@blindleader42]

@@MedlifeCrisis So bad it's good? Say it ain't so, Rohin.

[@connorbuchanan9508]

Brain science.

[@flszen]

“There’s nothing gruesome in this video” Well, I’ll watch it anyway.

[@TT-hd3zi]

Ok.

[@Abdi-uy1kh]

cyke klone lame

[@TheElvisnator]

Ok.

[@57thorns]

It was close enough for me at east. "Inside if the eye" etc is still a bit unnerving even when simulated. What they meant was "you will se mri images, but no visible light images of blood and brain tissue".

[@blindleader42]

@@wamwamwam Couldn't think of anything yourself, eh? watch?v=EdDQOVpIpQA

[@debbiehf05]

During surgery Doctor: *touches brain* Me: "Stop, ur getting on my nerves"

[@ChallengeTheNarrative]

😑

[@triple7marc]

o k Username checks out

[@allenkennedy99]

._.

[@feha92]

neurons* nerves would be for a regular surgery, no?

[@debbiehf05]

@@feha92 shut up nerd

[@TowelBun]

"And now we're gonna start drilling!" Oh cool, like a tiny hole in the skull? 6:10 plays... Oh.

[@i.i.iiii.i.i]

Looks like as if it could be a nice medieval execution method :)

[@Lucas_van_Hout]

Towel, yes it is safe. Yes, it is a model. No, it is disturbing.

[@Eira_]

and i thought dentist drills were scary!

[@The_NSeven]

Oh and the little crack made me very uncomfortable

[@heyitsmejm4792]

imagine that on an actual operation.. *blood splatter and bone chips all over*

[@TheVanuPhantom]

Brain satnav; **Please make a U-turn at the next opportunity**

[@dannypeck96]

Brain or britain? ;P

[@AltimaNEO]

At the round about

[@TheVanuPhantom]

The magic roundabout!

[@lchapo6698]

@@dannypeck96 brain

[@TwilightEpiphany]

i know the drill's really safe, but the sound and spray from the model still took me by surprise :o

[@baranxlr]

imagine waking up during that

[@edwithano]

@@baranxlr my god why did you bring that up now I never want to have to be in that situation

[@AK-fy1iq]

@@edwithano Would you really have wanted to otherwise?

[@leewhitehead6460]

@@baranxlr I'm sure you're awake for some procedures, so they can tell if all's well.

[@edwithano]

@@AK-fy1iq great point, very great point

[@GavinY]

can you imagine all the horrifying medical experiments done in historical times to learn about the brain

[@pinkajou656]

Mostly cutting up dead people I think

[@anonanon3066]

@@pinkajou656 it was a common headache treatment to drill such a hole into a patients head to "relief pressure"

[@akfin4763]

@@anonanon3066 This is still used in some cases like car crashes and such where the brain gets swollen and the pressure gets too high. Not for regular headaches tho

[@Aztesticals]

@@pinkajou656 ehh most of our most basic nervous system knowledge involved taking rysse's monkeys and cutting nerves at various points and seeing what stopped working. Same with the brain. Start cutting and see what stopped working

[@tatithe609]

@@akfin4763 craniectomy

[@NoNick1337]

6:47 Cursed Caprisun

[@jay-tbl]

Stop

[@scythal]

**slurp**

[@lolpop7799]

The Forbidden Caprisun

[@annikajohnson5086]

Stop.

[@aminazv2696]

mmmhhh... brain juice...

[@Brainbook]

If learning more about brain surgery tickles your fancy, come and subscribe to us at kzbin.info/door/nbPqck6c4yydPKVK0Faf6w You won't be disappointed! Thanks so much to Tom for having us on his channel and to "broken" Bran Smith for filming

[@luciaryan6063]

why is this comment a week old?

[@fazfoxy1119]

@@luciaryan6063 unlisted video that he's commented on a week ago (generic Tom scott thing)

[@luciaryan6063]

butterfree24 thanks

[@HellJustFroze]

>1 week ago I see brain surgeons have also mastered the power of time travel.

[@Brainbook]

@@HellJustFroze have you not watched Dr. Strange yet?

[@KishoreShenoy1994]

As a person who has had neurosurgery numerous times, I am very thankful for these doctors and this tech.

[@joools1953]

One surgery (so far 🤞) but I’d be dead without it. ❤❤

[@Nalia-ch1hx]

❤

[@Nalia-ch1hx]

​@@joools1953 glad ur still here❤

[@edwithano]

This is really interesting I think I want to be a neurosur..... Drill intensifies Edward left the chat

[@noemierollindedebeaumont1130]

Edward O'Sullivan 😂😂😂

[@divaauliakw]

What kind of dinosur is that

[@mackenzieevelynn6479]

edword

[@nkaijkanjii6418]

6:05 we will calmly continue with this operation, as any minimal mistake could have terrible consequences TRRRRŘRRRŘRRRRRRRRRRRRRRŘRRRRRŘRRRRRRRRRRRRRRŘRRRRRŘRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[@Contra1828]

"distance past target:2.4 mm"

[@MyoticTesseract]

Alex: "...and start drilling." Me: "Ah, a small and precise dri-" Alex: *ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA*

[@igorthelight]

MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!

[@corinth6402]

OH YOU'RE DRILLING INTO ME, I CANT PERFORM SURGERY WITHOUT GETTING CLOSER

[@oldcowbb]

precision: A

[@hystericallover5989]

killer queen has already touched the skull

[@helssing05]

@@igorthelight thank you so friggin much

[@Paulkjoss]

Brains are awesome - I wish everybody had one

[@theRPGmaster]

Judging by the David Bowie pic, you clearly do

[@violinist86]

Or used them

[@jamesharding3459]

That’s a zinger

[@henrygingercat]

It makes you wonder how Horsley, Cushing and the other pioneers ever had any successful outcomes.

[@jigzo78]

It's just advanced butchery innit

[@NGNetwork1]

trial and error?

[@DrunkCat1337]

The music makes this feel like an infomercial.

[@joseislanio8910]

DrunkCat and this was the prototype for the juicero

[@rolfs2165]

Not just the music.

[@DaedalusYoung]

This video made me purchase a Medtronic StealthStation™ S8.

[@sion8]

It is, for brain surgery!

[@gabiferreira6864]

@@DaedalusYoung ah yes I can wait for it to arrive so I can perform DIY brain surgery on my niece!

[@kadelusk7227]

My sister just had a brain tumor removed recently . She’s fine now, but that drill part kind of freaked me out and made me laugh.

[@tomhopkins9575]

It’s always important to be dressed in full scrubs just in case of emergency

[@Brainbook]

No mask though. Glasses keep steaming up.

[@cry0lite800]

Nothing but respect for Tom and his "The Show Must Go On" mentality, giving his channel to fellow KZbinrs instead of just not uploading for a few weeks. Other channels should take note!!

[@CubicApocalypse128]

That's because if you just don't upload for a while, The Algorithm will go ahead and schedule your autopsy.

[@Snaily]

The best part is that it benefits both parties involved as well as the viewer.

[@123mickymouse123]

It's a result of the machine moreso. KZbin and other social media platforms don't allow you to ever go offline. Doing so could easily spell the end of your career, or for larger channels a heavy economic hit at best.

[@kamil118]

@@CubicApocalypse128 He's been doing this way before the algorithm change tho

[@kamil118]

@Zero Cool What do you mean, it absolutely fits the "things you might not know" series

[@dexterrity]

Me: "this isn't so bad...." *Drilling starts* _"what the frick"_

[@zanefriedman2032]

Thank you for sharing this video Tom. It was impressive and humbling. Medical care really is the most noble application of human effort and technological development. I hope we are all grateful for people like Alex and those who support them.

[@Brainbook]

Thank you!

[@bipo1040]

06:08 People told me to keep an open mind, but I never thought it was like _that_

[@Norweeg]

1:53 The optical setup uses the same principle the controllers on the Nintendo Wii worked with the sensor bar on top of the TV. Who knew the game Trauma Center was an actual simulator? 😆

[@UltimateAlgorithm]

Same technology, just differ in tolerance.

[@radioactium]

Exactly what I was thinking. It's just a big Wii sensor bar telling you where you are in someone's head.

[@weesalikesmilktea4829]

"It's very safe!" Oh, that's reassuring. I'm no longer freaked out by the fact that the patient's skull gets *drilled right the f*ck into* since I am now aware that it's 'very safe'.

[@GleBluu]

I'll use this to watch my last two brain cells fighting at 2am.

[@TheElvisnator]

I'll use this to watch my last two brain cells fighting during a math test

[@deviljelly3]

WTF.... Soothing voice... Mood music... I'm feeling good... Then AARRRGGGHHH!!! he's attacking a skull with a Dremel like a 10 year old in a woodworking class... Jesus!

[@jskratnyarlathotep8411]

maybe it is the other way around?) maybe it is 10 year old in a woodworking class perform cuts like a neurosurgeon?)

[@hamsterdam1942]

1:24 "It's a combination of hardware and software" Seems like a smartass way to say "a computer"

[@regular-joe]

I miss when Tom's not hosting, but his picks for stand-ins never disappoint. Great video, delicate subject, well handled!

[@U014B]

"Next week, we're going from brain surgery to settling on Mars." So we _are_ doing rocket science, then.

[@thefirsttime7759]

Rocket surgery*

[@41-Haiku]

@@thefirsttime7759 And Brain Science!

[@happydawg2663]

This is super interesting and terrifying. As a software developer i trust the surgeon but boy my mind goes wild thinking of bugs.

[@Brainbook]

Oh no don't scare me....

[@happydawg2663]

@@Brainbook Sorry I didn't mean to scare you :). It's just my forma mentis. I never worked on Biomedical IT (which requires a special degree) so do like my username says. When you explained how the system works my brain went automatically on software implementation mode. Cool channel BTW, subbed.

[@captainheat2314]

@@GerardMenvussa Error: 621 Brain Not Found

[@Brainbook]

@@happydawg2663 ah thanks mate :) didn't realise it needed a special degree!

[@Madhattersinjeans]

@@captainheat2314 Please update soundcard.

[@Skydivingkittens]

That drilling scene caught me off guard hahaha

[@dash8brj]

I think a lot of us thought WTF! ;)

[@thereedbreed]

Thats actually really cool to see, I had a biopsy of a tumor right in the center of my brain and then a catheter place in the ventricular system. I've been curious how in the world they managed to line all that up.

[@Nalia-ch1hx]

❤

[@Henrex2000]

Stealth Station sounds like a brand of mediocre gaming pc

[@misan2002]

1:00 i like that pun ;)

[@bepsi6204]

I've always wondered how they didn't do much damage if they twitched slightly

[@Madhattersinjeans]

The surgeons who don't have the right skill tend to realise it quite quickly.

[@studiousboy644]

@@Madhattersinjeans That's a good way to say that "neurosurgeons are highly skilled people". I need to learn dis shiet ASAP. I mean the Phrasing... not the Neurosurgical skillz

[@emmawright663]

Well if that drill isn’t the scariest thing I’ve ever seen then I don’t know what is

[@Hoch134]

Well, start watching eye operations with tiny needles getting inserted!

[@emmawright663]

Hoch134 oh no no no I’ll pass on that one thanks 😂

[@studiousboy644]

@@Hoch134 what the fu-

[@kikotanto2980]

Management needs you to find the diference between these two images: Optically Electromagnetically They're the same image

[@ThePinkPansy]

They talking about the tracking method used to find the surgical tools, not the images the location is being displayed on.

[@kikotanto2980]

@@ThePinkPansy yup, though I was commenting on how infrared radiation (which I believe is used for the "optical" way to track the instruments) , just as visible light and other wavelengths of light, is just a wave in the electromagnetic field, which as its name implies is also the conduit for magnetism, the other way of locating the instruments. So technically, whatever the setting's on, it's using something related to electromagnetism

[@virg0_lem0nade]

oh whoa, it's medtronic! that's where my dad works hahahah

[@elmo8138]

Thats super cool! My diabetic equipment is from them!

[@shaun__3]

6:00 "And we start drilling" WTF

[@nakamotolikesyou]

You know one of those kitchen aid mixers? Just shove that in my head and let 'er rip.

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

That must be one of the most terrifying but rewarding professions around. Just awesome!

[@mr2octavio]

It was eerie to see the clear liquid coming out of the last dummy. Thanks for the video

[@Daedalus-_-]

"How do neurosurgeons find their way around inside the brain?" Very carefully, I'd imagine

[@Madhattersinjeans]

@@GerardMenvussa Sir this is wendy's

[@maxwelljames3573]

Your weeks-off are always beneficial Tom, please take more holidays haha ;)

[@Arbrax]

this is one of the most interesting things I never knew I needed to know

[@JSMachineWorks]

That drill is scary af, but incredible at the same time

[@lsynno]

Okay just carefully make a tiny hole in the skull.....SURGEON SMASH!... okay now softly slide the catheter in.

[@Its_mr_kai]

I have hydrocephalus and watching the drill made the back of my head itch.

[@tddeyoung]

My hand went to my shunt scar.

[@NEPAAlchey]

Even knowing this wasn't a person i was still very tensed up watching this.

[@lsynno]

That drill really makes you appreciate how hard the human skull is.

[@CarthagoMike]

My brain watching a video about operating on a brain... Yep, it is 3am time again!

[@jammasterquo]

Brilliant video. As a Radiographer, seeing how imaging can be used alongside cutting age tech is fascinating. I've seen similar RF tech being used in Orthopaedic procedures to accurately locate screw holes inside patients without using X-Ray.

[@thatKurtis]

I find the advancements in technology regarding augmentation of humans fascinating and scary alike. I like the idea of increasing the chances for an improved quality of life, but at the same time am stumped of how most covered are still in their baby shoes. The device covered, for example, is designed solely to guide surgeons. The technological side proves complicated, which is not only intriguing for all it's technology,but also proves how insanely complicated such a device have to be to simply decrease chances of error. Not quite sure where I was going with this: - Me like technology - Me scared of how long it will take to create something suphisticated enough to make brain surgery a minor inconvinience - Me even more scared of actually getting seriously sick as I had to witness my best friend suffering for years

[@xcandle_]

Yayyy, I'm loving these medical crossovers like with medlife crisis

[@MedlifeCrisis]

Nah that guy was a dickhead

[@Brainbook]

@@MedlifeCrisis seconded

[@davidgustavsson4000]

Is it wrong that I'm excited for Tom's vacation? Love the understudies!

[@Zsokorad]

You don't have to show anything gruesome. Just saying "deep into the brain" makes me nauseous.

[@SteelSkin667]

Tom Scott taking a break = discovering great new channels to subscribe to.

[@Brainbook]

Thank you 🙏

[@tribiz6762]

School: you need to have steady hands to be a neurosurgeon. Actual neurosurgeon: 2:20

[@cinetech1356]

Am I the only one who thinks this video is like a tutorial for brain surgery? I don't want to operate a brain though.

[@tomwatts703]

I have a sort of morbid curiosity (don't know if that's the right term) with neurosurgery, I'm generally extremely squeamish but the idea that medical technology has advanced enough that doctors can operate literally INSIDE someone's head is absolutely fascinating to me

[@DavidHindin]

This was SO neat, Alex - loved it!

[@Brainbook]

Thanks David!

[@manz007]

@@Brainbook You actually Looked like " Mo vlogs" (youtuber) in this video...... I dont know why but I thought you did.

[@EGRJ]

He's like Medlife Crisis' bespectacled cousin. (Disclaimer: I am not implying anything about race, I'm just saying they look vaguely similar and are both British doctors with educational KZbin channels.)

[@Brainbook]

Lol don't worry he will be proud that you think he looks like me

[@MedlifeCrisis]

@@Brainbook brb getting a face transplant

[@philliemonara6081]

You know. I come home. Want to relax from work. And then this pops up. Thanks I guess, sincerely - a neurosurgical resident. :P

[@Brainbook]

Lol sorry

[@ILikePi31415926535]

It can't be that hard, it's not like it's brain surg... Never mind edit: For real though, this is really interesting

[@Red_the_IT_Guy]

Well, it's not exactly rocket science. (I'm sorry, someone had to)

[@minami3823]

I had a large tumor removed about 8 years ago when I was 16. It recently has came back and may need surgery again. They told me they were going in microscopically but ended up cutting my skull open cause it was too large. The new one is much smaller and luckily both were located on the edge of my brain not inside. I'm still terrified. I learn if I need another surgery in a few weeks.

[@johnuferbach9166]

Wish you all the best! :)

[@dominateeye]

How did this turn out, if you don't mind saying?

[@minami3823]

@@dominateeye my last mri and Dr visit was 3 months ago. No noticeable growth I don't need another MRI for 2 years:)

[@dominateeye]

@@minami3823 Happy to hear! Stay well!

[@dunmermage]

So next video won't be brain surgery, just rocket science.

[@Brainbook]

That's boring though

[@AvixkThePig]

It's great having Tom Scott videos regularly while also letting him have a break.

[@mackovikmartin]

Why is there so little appreciation for these guys in the comments? 🤔 All I see here are (mostly) just some funny comments about the drill being "everything but precise". Can we all stop for a moment and think about just how astounding this all is? 😁 I can't help thinking: "Wow, that's unbelievable. These people are saving lives in ways that would be unthinkable a hundred years ago." The technology has really come a long way. I would gladly put my life into hands of these professionals any day, knowing I would be getting the best treatment I could. It's amazing what's possible nowadays.

[@Ravaxr]

And as ridiculous as this looks, it does work. Heck, in certain circumstances doctors still use maggots and leeches. If it looks stupid but it works, it isn't stupid.

[@41-Haiku]

"So anyway, I started ᴅʀɪʟʟɪɴɢ"

[@Vikash137]

I thought they just play a bunch of operation

[@Brainbook]

Do that in the coffee room

[@bjarnivalur6330]

When I hear "Stilette" my mind goes to "Stylet" so now I have an image a mosquito poking around in my brain stuck in my head.

[@antagonistictherapy]

I'm curious to know if you ever get used to cutting into people's heads. Drilling and sawing bone definitely has a distinct sound to it and I'm sure you definitely get certain smells from the body that don't really leave your mind afterwards.

[@2threlkeld]

I have a brain tumour, and had 2 Neurosurgical operations in 2019 in which they removed 95% of the tumour. The surgical team did an incredible job and the technology is amazing. Despite the experience that my surgeon had, I had a number of physical disabilities as a result of the surgery, which I have since recovered from - and God healed me of double vision almost instantaneously 4 months later. Thank you for sharing this Tom

[@Camboo10]

I love your content but I equally love when you leave and get all these guest hosts for me to discover. Medlife crisis is one of my favorites from last year that you introduced me to.

[@NorthEevee]

This video makes me feel so uneasy, I want to cry...

[@kkrstudios]

Me after playing surgeon simulator: *Oh, so youre not suppose to use an axe*

[@TheElvisnator]

*_I'll use this to watch my last two brain cells fighting during a math test_*

[@feha92]

at 3:10 a scan is shown, but the speaker does not mention that it is displayed in two-dimensional slices that achieve three-dimensionality through temporality (the user scrolls through the slices - likely with a scroll-wheel - letting them build a 3d-interpretation through their memory allowing them to mentally conenct the slices into a 3d-model in their mind). While it seems obvious to me after a few seconds of viewing (mostly because I have seen such systems before, although the "eyes and then nose" thing helped make me certain), I am almost certain that this is one of those things most people won't intuitively understand, and instead think it is more like a video-image showing the entire 3d-brain projected to 2d and changing over time. As opposed to a still. At least _I_ have had times when I haven't realized such until having it explicitly pointed out to me (though it wasn't brain-scans those times, so no eyes/noses or other known structure to help clue me in). Feels like one of those things that are really easy to see as obvious when used to a system, hard to realize when new to it, and where only if you had a very middling experience it is alien enough that one remembers it should probably be mentioned. Figured it might make sense to make a note of it so people who didn't realize can do so retroactively. Hence this comment. But maybe adding an annotation to the video would make sense too?

[@Brainbook]

The video was a lot longer and we had to cut out a lot of that stuff!

[@ashurean]

Kind reminder that they're pokin around in ur personality bits WHILE YOU'RE CONSCIOUS

[@ignorasmus]

Modern medicine and doctors are awesome! But can we take a moment to also appreciate the physicists and engineers who make it all possible?

[@KhAnubis]

Started last year‘s season with a heart doctor and this year‘s with a brain doctor, I see? I like it

[@busog97641]

I am SOO glad the editor of this video added the music to it, that made it worth watching, and highly entertaining. 🙄

[@Tehom1]

I like the video, and I thumbed it up, but it wins the award for "Tom Scott video most similar to an infomercial for Medtronic"

[@brangsmith3388]

These neuronavigation systems are standard in NHS neurosurgical units across the UK - we were very fortunate to have Medtronic onboard and lending us all equipment free of charge that made this video possible, which is fantastic for us as a charity.

[@Tehom1]

@@brangsmith3388 Thanks

[@bdf2718]

"Neurosurgery is intertwined with cutting-edge technology." ISWYDT.

[@sacr3]

no

[@Madhattersinjeans]

yes

[@joeylantis22]

Tom taking weeks off :( Love the guess hosts but we’ll miss you Tom! Have a nice vacation :)

[@misumi6312]

None of this looks anywhere near accurate enough

[@ThatTravGuy]

"We're going to start Drilling" BRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[@commodoreNZ]

2:20 I do not like the way the hands were shaking in this shot

[@abinothayyilsanoj4182]

Surgeon hands 🙃

[@jnanakshatriya668]

while patient is having windows os blue screen of death nightmare.

[@Danuxsy]

Mom: Surgeons are doing a very precise and fine job. Surgeons: 6:10

[@retepaskab]

Nothing gruesome, just plastic models of gruesome horrifying things.

[@raxi9619]

The sound of the drill at the end send chills down my spine.

[@TulioSounds]

You are taking a few weeks of??? It's been a month since your last video 😂

[@tylerleggett5088]

I need my 8th brain surgery soon, so this video was oddly reassuring

[@marsrover001]

IR tracking. The HTC vive, but way more expensive.

[@BlakieTT]

This is how I learned about Dr. Rohin Francis of Medlife Crisis :>

[@YannisBang]

Why does the neurosurgen seem like the guy in savety videos for a plane