This atlas illustrates the anatomical structures of the upper basal cisterns, their topography and relationship to other intra- and extradural structures. The author expands his well-established efforts to convey his outstanding neuroanatomical knowledge to the basal cisterns. His famous anatomical drawings are based upon anatomical preparations, cadaver dissections and intraoperative pictures, in order to point out important aspects concerning microsurgical and endoscopic approaches to these parts of the brain. Microsurgical and endoscopic interventions continue to show a significant development at present. They require a profound knowledge of the neuroanatomical circumstances the surgeon will find during the intervention.