Lecture 3- The Cingulate Cortex

Question 1

The cingulate cortex location

Answer 1

Lies directly above corpus callosum on medial wall of each hemisphere
Separated from neocortex by cingulate sulcus

Question 2

Positioning of cingulate cortex

Answer 2

Posteriorly: continues into precuneus via isthmus to join parahippocampal gyrus

Anteriorly: merges with cortex around genu of corpus callosum and continues forward as the subgenual cortex adjacent to septum

Question 3

Division of cingulate gyrus

Answer 3

Prelimibic (32)
Infralimbic cortices (25)
Anterior cingulate cortex (23 + 24)
Part of posterior cingulate or retrosplenial cortex (29)

Question 4

Prelimic and infralimbic part

Answer 4

Contain specific motor areas

Have extensive connections with neocortical areas of frontal lobe

Question 5

Anterior cingulate cortex

Answer 5

Has equally extensive connections with somatosensory and visual-association areas of parietal, occipital and temporal lobes

Question 6

Afferents of cingulate gyrus

Answer 6

Predominantly from neocortical areas on lateral surface of the hemispheres
Most projections pass caudally, into the posterior parahippocampal gyrus

Question 7

Parahippocampal gyrus

Answer 7

Areas 27, 28, 35, 36, 48, 49 and temporal cortical fields

Has complex interconnections with the cingulate cortex and with hippocampal formation

Question 8

Motor regions of cingulate cortex and facial expressions

Answer 8

Direct projections from cingulate motor cortex to CN 7 (facial) nulceus in brainstem
Produces the emotional content of facial expression

Question 9

Vocalisations in animals and humans

Answer 9

Cingulate cortex initiates involuntary vocalisations (ow)

Cingulate and amygdala provide emotional intonation in language

Question 10

6 functional areas associated with anterior cingulate cortex

Answer 10

Autonomic 
Bladder control
Emotional 
Executive 
Nociceptive (pain perception)
Vocalization

Question 11

Executive area

Answer 11

Execution of willed movement and voluntary saccades

Generate appropriate motor plan selection by motor cortex

Question 12

Pain perception

Answer 12

Afferents from MDN of thalamus

Question 13

Emotional

Answer 13

Lights up in happy thoughts; amygdala switches off (reverse is also true)

Question 14

Bladder control

Answer 14

Active during bladder filling

Question 15

Vocalisation

Answer 15

Active with the dorsal prefrontal cortex during decision making about appropriate sentence structure for speech

Stammering implicated in reduced blood flow to ACC

Question 16

Autonomic

Answer 16

Elicits autonomic and respiratory responses especially in emotional state

Question 17

Posterior cingulate cortex

Answer 17

Merges with the posterior parahippocampal gyrus
Interconnected with visual, auditory and tactile/spatial association areas
Involved in memory functions associated with the above

Question 18

Lesions of cingulate cortex

Answer 18

Of anterior
- Inability to restrain response to negatives

Disruption of orderly behaviours

Inability to anticipate emotional consequences of behaviour for both rewards and punishments

Question 19

Olfactory system

Answer 19

Afferent olfactory pathways proceed directly to the cerebral cortex, bypassing the thalamus, terminal fields are primitive cortical areas that are considered to be parts of the limbic system

Not a limbic structure but projects heavily upon limbic structures

Question 20

Patterns of neural connectivity in the olfactory system

Answer 20

Strong projection to the amygdala

Decussation of fibres to the opposite bulb

Direct projection to olfactory (piriform) cortex (amygdala, uncus and parahippocampus)

Question 21

What is special about the olfactory system?

Answer 21

The input reaches the cortex without passing through the dorsal thalamus

Direct input to the amygdala, therefore odours are strongly associated with emotional states

No direct connection with other cortical areas, must pass through many stations before reaching neocortex

Damage to one side associated with ipsilateral anosmia