Limbic System

Question 0

Main functions

Answer 0

regulates autonomic and endocrine function (homeostasis - hypothalamus)
sets the level of arousal and involved in motivation and reinforcing behaviors
memory - hippocampus
emotions - amygdala
has a close connection with the olfactory system

Question 1

Limbic Structures

Answer 1

Limbic Association Cortex - cingulate gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus
Hippocampal formation
amygdala
Olfactory Cortex
Hypothalamus
Thalamus
Basal Forebrain and Septal Nuclei

Question 2

hypothalamus

Answer 2

primary output area for the limbic system
connected with the frontal lobes, septal nuclei, the brain stem reticular formation, hippocampus, the amygdala, olfactory system, visual system, autonomic system, and the pituitary gland

involved in control of homeostasis, which involves sexual function, endocrine function, behavioral function and autonomic control

Question 3

Hippocampus

Answer 3

has two main parts

• dentate gyrus
• curved area of cortex called the cornu ammonis

gets input from the septum, hypothalamus adn adjacent entorhinal cortex
sends output to many areas via the fornix
involved in encoding and retrieving memory, spatial awareness, and corticosteroid production

Question 4

amygdala

Answer 4

has connections with the thalamus, hypothalamus, septal nuclei, orbital frontal cortex, cingulate gyrus, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, brain stem, and olfactory bulb

coordinates behavioral, autonomic and endocrine responses to environmental stimuli with emotional content, especially those that induce fear or anxiety

Question 5

Limbic Association Cortex

Answer 5

has reciprocal connections with most other limbic structures
plays a large role in the conscious understanding of and control of emotions
also plays a big role in decision making, judgement, insight, motivation and mood

Question 6

Fornix

Answer 6

one important fornix circuit, which plays a role in the convergence of cognitive activites, emotional experience, and expression, is called the circuit of papez

runs from the:
parahippocampal gyrus - hippocampus - fornix - mammillary bodies (part of hypothalamus) - thalamus - cingulate gyrus - parahippocampal gyrus

Question 7

Stria terminalis

Answer 7

axons forming reciprocal connections between the amygdala to teh hypothalamus and septal nuclei

these circuits connect emotional and homeostatic centers and are involved in associative learning

Question 8

ventral amygdalofugal pathway

Answer 8

connects the amygdala with the basal ganglia, olfactory cortex, cingulate gyrus, prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and septal nuclei

involved in associative learning and linking emotion to homeostatic responses

Question 9

medial forebrain bundle

Answer 9

diffuse group of axons that carry information between amygdala, brainstem nuclei, and hypothalamus

Question 10

damage to components of the limbic system cause:

Answer 10

memory loss (retrograde and anterograde amnesias - HM)
olfactory dysfunction (loss and/or hallucinations)
emotional disturbance (anxiety, rage, fearlessness, etc.)
autonomic and homeostatic dysfunctions
personality changes
changes in sexual and grooming behaviors
seizures