Forebrain and Limbic System

Question 1

What is the major function of the thalamus?

Answer 1

Major relay station for sensory pathways

Question 2

What thalamic structure defines the subdivisions of the nuclei? (splits medial and lateral subdivisions)

Answer 2

IML (internal medullary lamina)

Question 3

Which nucleus is even more lateral to the lateral subdivision?

Answer 3

Reticular nucleus

Question 4

What is the general theme of most thalamic nuclei?

Answer 4

Sensory input and regulatory input -> interneurons inhibit signal if needed -> projection neurons provide output

Question 5

Which thalamic nuclei does not follow the typical pattern?

Answer 5

Reticular nucleus

Question 6

What are the three patterns of thalamic nuclei?

Answer 6

1. Relay nuclei
2. Association nuclei
3. Intralaminar & midline nuclei

Question 7

Describe the function of a relay nucleus.

Answer 7

Receives specific input from subcortical structure (e.g. medial lemniscus) -> projects to cortex

Question 8

Describe the function of an association nucleus.

Answer 8

Receives specific input from association cortex (e,g, prefrontal) -> projects back to cortex

Question 9

Describe the function of an intralaminar or midline nucleus.

Answer 9

Receive specific inputs (basal ganglia, limbic) -> projects to cortex, basal ganglia, and limbic structures

Question 10

Which thalamic nuclei has no projections to the cortex?

Answer 10

Reticular nucleus

Question 11

Where does the reticular nucleus receive its input? Output?

Answer 11

In: cortex and thalamus
Out: inhibitory axons to thalamus

Question 12

What are the relay nuclei for the sensory system?

Answer 12

VPL and VPM (ventral posterolateral and posteromedial nuclei)

Question 13

What are the relay nuclei for the motor system?

Answer 13

VA and VL (ventral anterior and lateral nuclei)

Question 14

What are the relay nuclei for the limbic system?

Answer 14

Anterior and lateral dorsal nuclei

Question 15

What are the two major association nuclei?

Answer 15

DM (dorsomedial nucleus) and Pulvinar nucleus

Question 16

What is the major function of the DM?

Answer 16

Association for prefrontal: foresight

Question 17

What structure does nearly all fibers traveling from the thalamus to the cortex and vice versa go through?

Answer 17

Internal Capsule

Question 18

What are the five parts of the internal capsule?

Answer 18

1. Anterior limb
2. Genu
3. Posterior limb
4. Retrolenticular
5. Sublenticular

Question 19

What fibers go through the anterior limb?

Answer 19

Anterior nucleus and DM -> frontal lobe and prefrontal cortex

Question 20

What fibers go through posterior limb?

Answer 20

1. VA/VL -> motor areas
2. Motor areas -> brainstem/spinal cord
3. VPL/VPN -> somatosensory cortex

Question 21

The sublenticular part of the internal capsule handles the _______ visual field and the retrolenticular part handles the ______ visual field.

Answer 21

Superior; Inferior

Question 22

What part of the brain is critical in maintaining physiological homeostasis?

Answer 22

Hypothalamus

Question 23

What are the three main types of hypothalamic connections?

Answer 23

1. Limbic system
2. Output to pituitary
3. Interconnects visceral and somatic nuclei

Question 24

Which part of the hypothalamus is a continuation of the reticular formation?

Answer 24

Lateral

Question 25

Which part of the hypothalamus is a continuation of the periaquaductal gray?

Answer 25

Periventricular

Question 26

Which part of the hypothalamus contains only nuclei?

Answer 26

Medial

Question 27

Which neuroendocrine cells end in the posterior lobe?

Answer 27

Magnocellular

Question 28

Which neuroendocrine cells end in the median eminence?

Answer 28

Parvocellular

Question 29

Which two nuclei control the posterior pituitary and what do they release?

Answer 29

Paraventricular and Supraoptic; Antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin

Question 30

Which part of the hypothalamus stimulates parasympathetics? (slow HR, constrict pupils, etc.)

Answer 30

Anterior hypothalamus

Question 31

Which hypothalamic nucleus stimulates feeding?

Answer 31

Lateral nucleus

Question 32

Which hypothalamic nucleus stimulates the refusal of food?

Answer 32

Ventromedial nucleus

Question 33

What is a major difference between males and females "fight or flight" response?

Answer 33

Males: more aggresive (lateral prefrontal cortex) Females: more social (cingulate gyrus)

Question 34

Where do input fibers to the hypothalamus conveying visceral and sensory info come from?

Answer 34

Brainstem and spinal cord

Question 35

Where do input fibers conveying info about emotions come from?

Answer 35

Limbic system

Question 36

What are the major structures of the limbic system?

Answer 36

1. Cingulate gyrus 2. Parahippocampal gyrus 3. Amygdala 4. Hippocampus

Question 37

The ______ deals with emotional responses, while the ______ deals with learning and memory.

Answer 37

Amygdala; Hippocampus

Question 38

What is the major afferent pathway into the hippocampus?

Answer 38

Cortex -> Entorhinal cortex -> dentate gyrus -> CA3 -> fimbria and CA1 -> subiculum -> entorhinal cortex -> sensory cortex

Question 39

Describe the Papez circuit.

Answer 39

Cingulate gyrus -> Entrohinal cortex -> hippocampus -> fornix -> mammilothalamic tract -> anterior nucleus of thalamus -> cingulate cortex

Question 40

Which part of the hippocampus deals with memory of novel material such as language?

Answer 40

Left anterior

Question 41

Which part of the hippocampus deals with spatial tasks like driving a car?

Answer 41

Right hippocampus

Question 42

What is the primary function of the amygdala?

Answer 42

FEAR

Question 43

Where do afferents into the amygdala come from?

Answer 43

1. Sensory association | 2. Visual areas

Question 44

Where do efferents from the amygdala go?

Answer 44

Septal area and hypothalamus -> medial forebrain and central tegmental tract

Question 45

Which part of the brain may be more active than amygdala with anxiety?

Answer 45

Red nucleus

Question 46

T/F: Kluver-Bucy syndrome is associated with amygdala damage.

Answer 46

TRUE

Question 47

Release of dopamine in what area provides a "high" feeling of well being?

Answer 47

Nucleus accumbens (ventral striatum)