The Limbic System
The limbic system is a set of structures in the very center of the brain that is primarily responsible for our emotional life and plays an important role in the formation of memories. It is filled with CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) and clumps of white matter. The major structures of the limbic system include, the amygdala, the hippocampus, mammillary body, the hypothalamus, the olfactory bulb, the septum, and the cingulate gyrus.
Amygdala:
The amygdala is two oval shaped masses of neurons that are on either side of the thalamus on the bottom lower side of the hippocampus. When an electronic charge stimulates the amygdala, the response in the brain is aggression. The amygdala also a critical area when dealing with stress and anxiety.
Hippocampus:
The Hippocampus looks like two little horns that curve from the amygdala and almost make a complete circle. The hippocampus is a very important aspect of long term memory and its primary function is converting short-term memories into long-term memories. Short-term memory is critical to long-term memory and
Mammillary Body:
The mammillary body is divided into two structures, the medial mammillary nucleus and the lateral mammillary nucleus. This structure is both located underneath the hypothalamus and is linked to it through a nerve path called the fornix and make up a series of wires that connect to other parts of the brain. The are an important part of the memory processing cycle because they relay signals that come from the hippocampus and the amygdale that need to go to the thalamus, this cycle is called the papez circuit.
Hypothalamus:
The hypothalamus is a small structure thatis located below the thalamus next to both sides of the third ventricle. The hypothalamus is a very active part due to its interaction with homeostasis. Homeostasis is the act of returning to a stable state, a normal state. An example of stable/normal state is a thermostat (the hypothalamus does not control temperature, its just an example). The thermostat is set to a certain temperature and it will turn on and off to either cool or heat up the room depending on the set temperature. Some examples of what the hypothalamus controls is hunger, thirst, response to pain, levels of pleasure, sexual satisfaction, anger, aggressive behavior. The hypothalamus receives information from all over the brain so it can control things like pulse, blood pressure, breathing, and arousal responses.
Olfactory Bulb:
This structure is found on the outer edge of the lower frontal lobe. The olfactory bulb processes information about odors and is a very important part of the system responsible for sense of smell. There are olfactory receptors located in the nose that process orders and signal the olfactory bulb directly with the information. This information is then sent to the amygdala and hypothalamus for more processing.
Septum Pellucidum:
The Septum Pellucidum is a small membrane wall in the brain. It mainly separates the lateral ventricles and important passageways within the brain tissue. It extends from the corpus callosum to the fornix. It's main job is to separate tissue in the brain and surround the stated areas.
Cingulate Gyrus:
The cingulate gyrus is located just above the corpus callosum and pelow the frontal gyrus and the paracentral lobule. This gyrus is very important to the limbic system because it regulates emotions and pains along with predicting and avoiding negative consequences. It's "main goal" is to learn to avoid negative consequences for future memory.
The amygdala is two oval shaped masses of neurons that are on either side of the thalamus on the bottom lower side of the hippocampus. When an electronic charge stimulates the amygdala, the response in the brain is aggression. The amygdala also a critical area when dealing with stress and anxiety.
Hippocampus:
The Hippocampus looks like two little horns that curve from the amygdala and almost make a complete circle. The hippocampus is a very important aspect of long term memory and its primary function is converting short-term memories into long-term memories. Short-term memory is critical to long-term memory and
Mammillary Body:
The mammillary body is divided into two structures, the medial mammillary nucleus and the lateral mammillary nucleus. This structure is both located underneath the hypothalamus and is linked to it through a nerve path called the fornix and make up a series of wires that connect to other parts of the brain. The are an important part of the memory processing cycle because they relay signals that come from the hippocampus and the amygdale that need to go to the thalamus, this cycle is called the papez circuit.
Hypothalamus:
The hypothalamus is a small structure thatis located below the thalamus next to both sides of the third ventricle. The hypothalamus is a very active part due to its interaction with homeostasis. Homeostasis is the act of returning to a stable state, a normal state. An example of stable/normal state is a thermostat (the hypothalamus does not control temperature, its just an example). The thermostat is set to a certain temperature and it will turn on and off to either cool or heat up the room depending on the set temperature. Some examples of what the hypothalamus controls is hunger, thirst, response to pain, levels of pleasure, sexual satisfaction, anger, aggressive behavior. The hypothalamus receives information from all over the brain so it can control things like pulse, blood pressure, breathing, and arousal responses.
Olfactory Bulb:
This structure is found on the outer edge of the lower frontal lobe. The olfactory bulb processes information about odors and is a very important part of the system responsible for sense of smell. There are olfactory receptors located in the nose that process orders and signal the olfactory bulb directly with the information. This information is then sent to the amygdala and hypothalamus for more processing.
Septum Pellucidum:
The Septum Pellucidum is a small membrane wall in the brain. It mainly separates the lateral ventricles and important passageways within the brain tissue. It extends from the corpus callosum to the fornix. It's main job is to separate tissue in the brain and surround the stated areas.
Cingulate Gyrus:
The cingulate gyrus is located just above the corpus callosum and pelow the frontal gyrus and the paracentral lobule. This gyrus is very important to the limbic system because it regulates emotions and pains along with predicting and avoiding negative consequences. It's "main goal" is to learn to avoid negative consequences for future memory.