The Limbic System

Question 1

The Papez circuit:

Answer 1

1. Entorhinal cortex
2. Hippocampal formation
3. Fimbria-Fornix
4. Mammilary body
5. Anterior nuclei of the thalamus
6. Cingulate cortex

Question 2

The subicular cortices of the hyppocampal formation:

Answer 2

parasubiculum, postsubiculum, presubiculum, subiculum

Question 3

The hyppocampus proper is to be understood as just…

Answer 3

…the Ammon’s horn (cornu ammonis, CA1-CA4) AND the dentate gyrus

Question 4

The bundle of fibres connecting the hyppocampus with more anterior structures is called…

Answer 4

…the fornix AFTER it leaves the hippocampus to reach the septum and mammilary bodies. The same bundle is called fimbria BEFORE it leaves the hippocampus (is still attached to it).

Question 5

The mammilary bodies are located…

Answer 5

…on the ventral surface of the hypothalamus behind the pituitary gland

Question 6

The output of the mammilary bodies is…

Answer 6

…the mammillothalamic tract - a bundle of fibers which sends signals to the anterior nucleus of the thalamus

Question 7

Which parts of the limbic system are not parts of the Papez circuit?

Answer 7

• the amygdala and the septum

Question 8

Parts of the basal ganglia:

Answer 8

• caudate nucleus
• putamen
• globus pallidus
• subthalamic nucleus
• substantia nigra

Question 9

Which parts of the basal ganglia are thought to be the ‘motor executive’ of the brain, storing action plans?

Answer 9

The caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus.

Question 10

What is the function of the substantia nigra?

Answer 10

It supplies other basal ganglia structures with dopamine.