The Olfactory and Limbic System

Question 1

What are the two major functional roles of the limbic system?

Answer 1

1. Learning
2. Regulation and translation of our emotional state into appropriate behaviour

Question 2

The main parts of the limbic system are connected via what circuit?

Answer 2

The Papaz circuit

Question 3

What are the components of the Papez circuit?

Answer 3

Hippocampus –> (via fornix) mammillary bodies –> (via mammilo-thalamic tract) thalamus–> (via thalamo-cortical tract/internal capsule) cingulate gyrus–> (via cingulum) parahippocampal gyrus and entorhinal cortex–> (via perforant pathway) hippocampus

Question 4

Where is the cingulate gyrus?

Answer 4

Immediately dorsal and parallel to the corpus callosum

Question 5

Where is the parahippocampal gyrus?

Answer 5

In continuity with the cingulate gyrus, around the splenium of the corpus callosum- its part of the temporal lobe

Question 6

What is the uncus?

Answer 6

A hook shaped region of the cortex at the anterior end of the temporal lobe

Question 7

Where is the olfacotry tract?

Answer 7

It runs on the orbitofrontal surface of the brain

Question 8

Where is the olfactory striae ?

Answer 8

Medial and lateral. The olfacotry tract divides into these along the anterior border of the anterior perforated substance. The lateral striae runs to the unclus