Limbic System Flashcards
The limbic system is the site where ________ information and ____________ impulses are integrated
- What are the limbic system’s general functions?
cortical information and hypothalamic impulses
-
HOME
- Homeostasis (autonomic regulation)
- Olfaction
- Memory
- Emotion
Papez’s “circuit”:
cingulate ⇒ hippocampus ⇒ fornix ⇒
mammillary bodies ⇒ anterior thalamus ⇒ cingulate
- emotion was a product of the limbic circuit
- Input is elaborated as emotion and ultimately influence the hypothalamus to release appropriate hormones
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/097/915/956/a_image_thumb.png?1659425145)
D. McClean coined the term “limbic system” and included which structures in it?
Expanded Papez’s circuit to include:
- parts of the hypothalamus
- septal area
- orbitofrontal cortex
- nucleus accumbens (part of the striatum)
- amygdala
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/097/916/948/a_image_thumb.png?1659425145)
What Justifies the Concept of the Limbic System?
- Common physiologic and neurochemical properties
- Intricate anatomic connections
- Common behavioral associations
Limibic System:
Common physiologic and neurochemical properties
-
High density of cholinergic innervation and opiate receptors
- memory
- perception of pain and pleasure
-
Septal nuclei and nucleus basalis of Meynert:
- cholinergic input for the brain (memory)
-
Mesocorticolimbic Dopamine system:
- critical for positive reinforcing brain mechanisms
- drugs and pleasure
- critical for positive reinforcing brain mechanisms
What are the limbic structures susceptible to?
-
herpes virus has a special affinity for these regions
- leads to severe memory and behavioral disturbance
- susceptible to kindling and development of seizure foci
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/097/919/475/a_image_thumb.png?1659425146)
What does the hypothalamus coordinate?
drive-related behaviors
What are the Cortical Structures in the Outer Core?
- cingulate gyrus
- orbital frontal lobe
- subcallosal area
-
parts of temporal lobe
- hippocampus
- parahippocampal gyrus
- uncus
Outer Core-Cortical Components:
- Cingulate cortex:
- Orbital Frontal lobe:
- Temporal lobe:
-
Cingulate cortex
- **rostral **⇒ emotions and motor
- **caudal **⇒ visual spatial and memory
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Orbital Frontal lobe
- personality, behavioral control, and self awareness
- **Temporal lobe **
- memory
- hippocampus, parahippocampus, entorhinal cortex
Inner Core Structures:
- Hypothalamic nuclei
- Anterior thalamic nucleus
- Mammillary body
- Septal nuclei
Inner Core: Subcortical Components
Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
- pleasure center, autonomic, endocrine integration
- neurons project to the pituitary ⇒ regulate ACTH and TSH secretion
- involved in maternal behavior, blood pressure, feeding, temperature regulation and immune response
Inner Core: Subcortical Components
Amygdala
Amygdala
- “preservation of self” behaviors
- emotion
- social behavior
- aggression and defense response
- sexual behavior
- affective significance of visual stimuli
- affect of faces
- affective regulation
Inner Core: Subcortical Components
Septum
Septum
- “preservation of species” behaviors
- sexual behavior
- emotionality
Most anatomical connections are __________.
reciprocal
Efferent fiber bundles of the limbic system (3):
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/097/922/318/q_image_thumb.png?1659477025)
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Fornix:
- connects hippocampus with septum and mamillary bodies
- Stria terminalis:
- connects amygdala with septum, hypothal, bed nuc, and nuc acc
- Ventral amygdalofugal pathway:
- connects amygdala with hypothal, brainstem, septum
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/097/922/318/a_image_thumb.png?1659425146)