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the human limbic system
The human brain contains many intriguing structures. A certain set of these set structures, referred to as the human limbic system, is central for particular functions such as learning, memory and emotion.
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The human brain contains many intriguing structures. A certain set of these set structures, referred to as the human limbic system, is central for particular functions such as learning, memory and emotion. human limbic system 9 x 12 x 8” clay, pipe cleaners, wire, foam 2000
The human brain contains many intriguing structures. A certain set of these set structures, referred to as the human limbic system, is central for particular functions such as learning, memory and emotion. human limbic system
The Amygdala is an almond-shaped complex of nuclei in the anteriomedial part of the temporal lobe, just beneath the uncus. It is a key component of one of the two cardinal limbic circuits (the hippocampus is key to the other) and is heavily involved with the autonomic expression and cognitive experience of emotion. amygdala
The Stria Terminalis is a thin, long, threadlike tract curving up, back and around the thalamus from the amygdala to the septal-preoptic areas and hypothalamus, to which it supplies a surprising number of axons for its paltry size. It is one of the two key amygdaloid outputs, the ventral amygdalofugal pathway being the other. stria terminalis
The Hippocampus is a gracefully laid out temporal lobe gyrus representing an involution of cerebral grey and white matter into the lateral ventricle (not the usual outwardly directed convolution). It is a key cortical part of the limbic system, with a computer-like organization) and is critical to episodic and semantic memory. hippocampus
The Fornix is a massive, curvilinear, cable-like tract providing one of the two major reciprocal links between forebrain and midbrain (the medial forebrain bundle, from which it arose, is the other). It is a key connection of the limbic system and historically is a major component of the limbic sulcal circuit of James W. Papez. The Alveus is a thin layer of nerve fibers which covers the hippocampus. fornix and alveus
fornix, alveus, and hippocampus
The Anterior Commissure is a sharply defined, curvilinear bundle crossing the midline just inferior and caudal to the rostrum of the corpus callosum. Its rostral fibers interconnectolfactory structures, while its caudal fibers link the amygdaloid and adjacent temporocortical regions of the cerebral hemispheres. anterior commissure
The Cingulate Gyrus is a broad belt of cortex partially encircling the corpus callosum and forming the upper limb of the limbic or border lobe (the parahippocampal gyrus is the lower limb). In addition to its thalamic inputs, it collects cortical inputs from frontal parietal and occipital lobes. cingulate gyrus
The Anterior Thalamic Nucleus is one of the two major thalamic relay nucleifor the limbic system (the other being the dorsomedial nucleus). Inputs arrive via the mammillothalamic tract, fornix and adjacent structures, outputs fan out sequentially from its three subnuclei to the overlying cingulate gyrus. anterior thalamic nucleus
The Stria Medullaris Thalami is one of the two largest descending projections of the limbic system (the medial forebrain bundle in the hypothalamus is the other). It runs dorsally from the mediobasal forebrain (including the septal area) to the habenular nuclei, from which the fasciculus retroflexus descends to the interpeduncular nucleus of the limbic midbrain area. stria medullaris thalami
The Mammillary Bodies (shown in green) are a pair of grossly visible rounded nuclei. Each is made up of several subsidiary cell clusters, at the base of the posterior boundary of the hypothalamus. They are a source of major hypothalamic output to the thalamus and to the midbrain core via a mammillotegmental offshoot. mammillary bodies
The Mammillothalamic Tract is a massive hypothalamic input (easily demonstrated with a wooden probe) to the anterior thalamic nucleus. It is key to the Papez circuit and the evolution of the limbic system concept, it allows fibers from the hippocampal region to reach the cingulate gyrus via the anterior thalamus. mammillothalamic tract
The Preoptic Area is a forebrain region anterior to the optic chiasm. It is closely related to the hypothalamus, with which it is structurally and functionally continuous. The preoptic area plays roles in reproduction, circadian rhythms and regulation of body temperature, water intake, electrolyte balance, blood pressure and composition, etc. preoptic area
The Preoptic Area is a forebrain region anterior to the optic chiasm. It is closely related to the hypothalamus, with which it is structurally and functionally continuous. The preoptic area plays roles in reproduction, circadian rhythms and regulation of body temperature, water intake, electrolyte balance, blood pressure and composition, etc. preoptic area
The Septal Nuclei are small nuclei in the medial wall of the cerebral hemisphere, between fornix and corpus callosum. Superiorly, they thin into a glial sheet, the septum pellucidum. Inferiorly, they blend into the preoptic area, hypothalamus and limbic midbrain. It is considered the eeting place of limbic forebrain and midbrain. septal nucleus
The Hypothalamus (shown in light blue) is a small region beneath the thalamus, 1/300th-1/400th of brain weight, packed with tiny nuclei and wispy fibers, having neural and endocrine outputs that effect short-term and long-lasting homeostasis. It is sensitive to vascular and hormonal feedback. We see it as the heart of the limbic system. hypothalamus
The Nucleus Accumbens is a large nucleus just lateral to the septal area, “leaning” against the head of the caudate nucleus. It is traditionally considered septal, but now seen as part of the limbic striatum. It is a target of the mesocortical dopamine system and is considered a “crossroads” (Walle Nauta) between the limbic and motor systems. nucleus accumbens
The Olfactory Bulb and Tract (shown in yellow) are a set of fibers wherein the bulb is an ovoid knob on the orbital surface of the frontal lobe and is the initial analyzer of olfactory nerve filament signals. Its narrow, flattened tract runs posteriorly to the olfactory trigone, whence axons distribute to higher olfactory centers, near and in uncinate cortex. olfactory bulb and tract
The Habenula is a small triangle, with two independent subnuclei, on the posteromedial surface of the thalamus, just anterior to the pineal gland. It is considered a crossroads (Walle J. H. Nauta) between the limbic and motor systems receiving fibers of the stria medullaris thalami and projecting to the paramedian midbrain. habenula
The Habenulo-interpeduncular Tract (fasciculus retroflexus) is a variegated bundle of axons arising in the habenular nuclei and following a complex curved trajectory down to the interpeduncular nucleus of the mesencephalic tegmentum. It permits two-way interaction of several forebrain and midbrain structures. habenulo-interpeduncular tract
The Interpeduncular Nucleus is a small, unpaired median cluster of the limbic midbrain area that recieves the stria medularis thalami/fasciculus retroflexus pathway and gices rise to downstream projections to mor caudal regions of the midbrain. Upaward prjections also exist, but the functional roles are uncertain. interpeduncular nucleus
