The role of the Hippocampus in learning and memory Flashcards
(12 cards)
what is the septum pellucidum
a think sheet of nervous tissue connecting the fornix to the corpus callosum
what is the mamillary body
tiny nucleus that acts as a relay station, transmitting info to and from the fornix and thalamus
what is the role of olfactory bulbs
the connection of these structures with the limbic system helps explain why the sense of smell evokes long forgotten memories and emotions
what is the amygdala
this structure influences behaviour and activities so that they are appropriate for meeting the bodys internal needs
- include feeding, emotional reactions such as anger
what is the parahippocampal gyrus
with other structures, this area helps modify the expression of emotions such as rage and fright
what is the hippocampus involved in
this curved band of grey matter is involved with learning and memory, the recognition of novelty and the recollection of spatial relationships
what does the midbrain influence
the limbic areas influence physical activity via the basal ganglia- large clusters of nerve cell bodies below the cortex
- limbic midbrain areas also connect to the cortex and thalamus
what is the fornix
a pathway of nerve fibres that transmits info from the hippocampus and other limbic areas to the mamillary body
what is the cingulate gyrus
this area, together with the parahippocampal gyrus and the olfactory bulbs, comprises the limbic cortex, which modifies behaviour and emotions
describe the structure of the hippocampus
- mammals have 2 hippocampi, one in each hemisphere of the brain
- located under the cerebral cortex
- contains 2 main interlocking parts- the hippocampus proper and the dentate gyrus
what does the hippocampus play a role in
plays important roles in the consolidation of info from short term memory to long term memory and in spatial memory that enables navigation
what are the 3 theories of hippocampus function
- inhibition response
- episodic memory
- spatial cognition
