Organs Base Ganglia
Insula (Island of Reil)
The insula has a number of disparate functions, serving as the primary gustatory cortex, as well as having important connections to language and visual-vestibular integration. Additionally, it also has important autonomic function, particularly sympathetic tone from the right insula; damage to this area has been associated with cardiac arrhythmias. Source
Genu of Corpus Callosum
The most important function of corpus callosum is to facilitate interhemispheric communication. Researchers believe that this structure of neural tissues in the eutherian brain is involved in a wide range of normal interhemispheric functions. While the functions of the right hemisphere differ from that of the left hemisphere, there has to be some connection between the two halves of the brain in order to facilitate proper functioning of the nervous system as a whole. This is where the corpus callosum comes into the picture. It facilitates this connection by acting as a bridge between the two hemispheres and transmitting information from one hemisphere to the other. It also works in allocation of tasks to either hemispheres of the brain on the basis on their programming. In children, it is believed to play a significant role in lateralization of the brain, right from infancy. Studies also reveal that it is actively involved in the movement of eyes. Information about eye muscles and retinas is collected by this structure and sent to the respective areas of the brain where it is processed. While this information is being processed by the two hemispheres, the corpus callosum ensures that the flow of information between the two is fast and accurate. Source
Septum Pellucidum
This is a thin, triangular, vertical double transparent membrane separating the anterior horns of the left and right lateral ventricles of the brain. It runs as a sheet from the corpus callosum down to the fornix. Its main job is to separate the lateral ventricles, important passageways within the brain tissue, and the membrane forms what’s basically a barrier between these sections. In terms of location, it extends from the corpus collosum, a collection of neural fibers under the cortex, to the fornix, a group of fibers above the thalmus. Aside from this divisionary role, it isn’t thought to have any particular function unto itself. So, the function of the septum pellucidum is not yet fully understood. the septum pellucidum may be regarded as a correlative center relaying visceral information through hypothalamic autonomic system to the hippocampus, amygdala, habenula, and brainstem reticular formation. It therefore partakes in consciousness and sleep and in emotional response to the environment. Source
Column of Fornix
The columns of fornix are C-shaped. The columns are created from columns of fibers called axons. These axons are found in the brain and can carry signals throughout. Signals created by the hippocampus (part of the brain involved in memory) are sent to the septal nuclei (involved in pleasure and memory formation) by the fornix, as well as to the mammillary bodies. The fornix also carries some afferent fibres to the hippocampus from structures in the diencephalon and basal forebrain. The fornix is part of the limbic system. While its exact function and importance in the physiology of the brain is still not entirely clear, it has been demonstrated in humans that surgical transection – the cutting of the fornix along its body – can cause memory loss. There is some debate over what type of memory is affected by this damage, but it has been found to most closely correlate with recall memory rather than recognition memory. This means that damage to the fornix can cause difficulty in recalling long-term information such as details of past events, but it has little effect on the ability to recognize objects or familiar. situations. Source
Lateral Ventricle
The right and left lateral ventricles are structures within the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid, a clear, watery fluid that provides cushioning for the brain while also helping to circulate nutrients and remove waste. Along with the structures known as the third ventricle and the fourth ventricle, the lateral ventricles are part of the body’s ventricular system. The ventricular system acts as a continuation of the central canal of the spinal cord, a similar structure that contains cerebrospinal fluid and runs the length of the neck and trunk. Source
3rd Ventricle
The third ventricle is one of the four CSF-filled cavities that together comprise the ventricular system. the third ventricle, a medially situated cavity lying between the cerebral hemispheres. the fourth ventricle which lies at the level of the brainstem. The third ventricle receives CSF from the lateral ventricles and conveys it to the fourth ventricle, which disseminates it to the subarachnoid space. The third ventricle therefore serves as the intermediary between the lateral ventricles and the fourth ventricle. While subsequent ventricles receive CSF from those upstream, each ventricle also contributes to the production of CSF. CSF has a nutritional and protective function to the brain and spinal cord. It is also important to note that the entire ventricular system is lined by an epithelial covering called the ependyma, which is functionally important in the production of CSF, and the maintenance of the blood-CSF barrier. In terms of location, the third ventricle is specifically located in the diencephalon and it is thus referred to as the cavity of the diencephalon. It is a median fossa situated between the right and left thalami. Source
Globus Pallidus of Lentiform Nucleus
The globus pallidus is a structure in the brain involved in the regulation of voluntary movemen. It is part of the basal ganglia, which, among many other things, regulate movements that occur on the subconscious level. If the globus pallidus is damaged, it can cause movement disorders, as its regulatory function will be impaired. There may be cases in which damage is deliberately induced, as in a procedure known as a pallidotomy, in which a lesion is created to reduce involuntary muscle tremors. When it comes to regulation of movement, the globus pallidus has a primarily inhibitory action that balances the excitatory action of the cerebellum.
Interthalamic Adhesion
The interthalamic adhesion is a flattened band of tissue that connects both parts of the thalamus at their medial surfaces. The medial surfaces form the upper part of the lateral wall to the third ventricle. The interthalamic adhesion contains nerve cells and nerve fibers. The interthalamic adhesion is located above the thalmus. It connect the both parts of the thalamus to their medical surfaces. The length of the interthalamic adhesion is approximately 1 cm long (in humans) however females tend to have a 50% longer one. The reason why its where its at is because the interthalamic adhesion influenced the pattern of pressure in the cerebral ventricles. Source
Head of Caudate Nucleus
The head of the caudate nucleus just means the front of the caudate nucleus. There is a caudate nucleus within each hemisphere of the brain. So, there is two caudate nucleus, a left and a right. Individually, they resemble a C-shape structure with a wider “head” (Caput in Latin) at the front, tapering to a “body” (corpus) and a much smaller “tail” (cauda) at the end. The caudate nucleus is an important part of the brain’s learning and memory system. Each of the brain’s hemispheres contains a caudate nucleus, and both are located centrally and near the basal ganglia. They are also situated near the thalamus, which is deep in the brain, close to the midbrain. Each nucleus features a wide head that tapers into a body and a thin tail. As a whole, each nuclei is curved and often resembles the letter ‘C’ in shape.The caudate nucleus plays a vital role in how the brain learns, specifically the storing and processing of memories. It works as a feedback processor, which means it uses information from past experiences to influence future actions and decisions. This is important to the development and use of language. Specifically, communication skills are thought to be controlled mostly by the left caudate and the thalamus. Some brain specialists suspect the nucleus may play a role in the development of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). If this is true, it likely occurs because the nucleus is unable to control the transmission of worrying and concerning impulses between the thalamus and the orbitofrontal cortex, which alters the impact of this information on actions and decisions. Damage to the head of the caudate nucleus may lead to dramatic personality change. Source
Claustrum
The claustrum is a subcortical structure. It is a thin sheet of grey matter underneath the inner part of the neocortex. It is on both sides of the brain, and can be found between the insular cortex, which is deep to the temporal and parietal lobes at the deepest point of the lateral fissure, and the striatum, which is a component of the basal ganglia. though the exact function of the claustrum remains to be verified, connectivity studies have shown that the claustrum plays a strong role in communication between the two hemispheres of the brain, specifically between cortical regions controlling attention.
Splenium of Corpus Collosum
The splenium is a name of the posterior part of the corpus callosum (CC). The corpus callosum is the largest of the commissural fibres, linking the cerebral cortex of the left and right cerebral hemisphere. It is the largest fibre pathway in the brain. The corpus callosum gets its name from the Latin for “tough body” because of Its large white matter structure in the brain both in terms of size (700 square millimeters for the midsagittal cross-section) and number of axonal projections (200 million) between the two hemispheres. The corpus callosum is a large white matter tract that connects the two hemispheres of the brain. It is an incredibly important structural and functional part of the brain. It allows us to perceive depth and enables the two sides of our brain to communicate. The corpus callosum (CC) has a rich blood supply, relatively constant and is uncommonly involved by infarcts. The majority of the CC is supplied by the pericallosal arteries (the small branches and accompanying veins forming the pericallosal moustache) and the posterior pericallosal arteries, branches from the anterior and posterior cerebral respectively. In 80% of patients, additional supply comes from the anterior communicating artery, via either the subcallosal artery or median callosal artery. Source
Hippocampus Fimbria
With regard to the brain, the fimbria is a prominent band of white matter along the medial edge of the hippocampus. The fimbria is an accumulation of myelinated axons (mostly efferent) that first collect on the ventricular surface of the hippocampus as the alveus (a thin layer resembling an inverted trough).
The term hippocampal formation typically refers to the dentate gyrus, the hippocampus proper, and the subicular cortex. A hippocampal formation is located in the temporal lobe of each cerebral cortex, medial to the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle. Hippocampus means seahorse in Greek. Each hippocampus looks like a seahorse due to the way it is folded during development. The hippocampus has direct connections to the entorhinal cortex (via the subiculum) and the amygdala. These structures connect to many other areas of the brain. It is part of a system that directs many bodily functions: the limbic system. This system is located in the brain’s medial temporal lobe, near the center of the brain. The hippocampus is involved in the storage of long-term memory, which includes all past knowledge and experiences. Scientists are unsure exactly how this occurs. In particular, the hippocampus seems to play a major role in declarative memory, the type of memory involving things that can be purposely recalled, such as facts or events. The hippocampus is not involved with short-term memory and procedural memory types (memory of how to do motor actions, like walking). These are primarily handled by the cortex and the cerebellum. Those that have lost function or had removed major portions of the limbic system but still have the hippocampus, have only long-term memory and cannot record any new memories or functions. Source
Crura of Fornix
Fornix is Latin for ‘vault’ and ‘arch’, representing the shape of the columns of fornix. The columns begin on either side of the brain, and separately are known as the crus of the fornix. When the fibers come together to form the fornix, it is called the body of the fornix. In the brain, the columns of fornix travel downward in an arch, falling in front of the interventricular foramen (an opening at the center of the brain) and going behind the anterior commissure (a bundle of fibers that connects the brain’s halves). The columns of fornix travel the lateral wall of the third ventricle — a fluid-filled cavity in the brain — passing through gray matter, a type of tissue found in the outer portions of the brain. This continues to the base of the brain, where the columns end at the corpus mammillare, or mammillary bodies, which help with recall and the role of smell in memory. The columns of fornix are C-shaped. The columns are created from columns of fibers called axons. These axons are found in the brain and can carry signals throughout. Signals created by the hippocampus (part of the brain involved in memory) are sent to the septal nuclei (involved in pleasure and memory formation) by the fornix, as well as to the mammillary bodies. The fornix is part of the limbic system. While its exact function and importance in the physiology of the brain is still not entirely clear, it has been demonstrated in humans that surgical transection – the cutting of the fornix along its body – can cause memory loss. There is some debate over what type of memory is affected by this damage, but it has been found to most closely correlate with recall memory rather than recognition memory. This means that damage to the fornix can cause difficulty in recalling long-term information such as details of past events, but it has little effect on the ability to recognize objects or familiar situations. Source
Pineal Body
Once called the ‘third eye,’ the pineal gland is a small gland located deep in the center of the brain. Named for its pinecone shape, this gland secretes melatonin, which plays a role in the body’s internal clock. The brain is comprised of two distinct hemispheres connected by fibers. The pineal gland is located in the middle of the brain, in between the two hemispheres. The pineal gland contains mainly pinealocytes, which are cells that produce the hormone melatonin and glial cells, which are a particular type of brain cells that support neurons (the cells that transmit information to other cells). because it regulates the body’s circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms are the daily rhythms of the body, including signals that make someone feel tired, sleep, wake up, and feel alert around the same time each day. The pineal gland secretes melatonin, which is a hormone that helps regulate circadian rhythms. Melatonin is produced according to the amount of light a person is exposed to. Source
Habenula
The habenula receives information from the limbic system and basal ganglia through a fiber bundle called the stria medullaris. It sends information to areas of the midbrain that are involved in dopamine release, such as the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. The habenula also has neurons that project to areas like the raphe nuclei, which are involved in serotonin release. Therefore, the habenula is one of the few known structures in the brain that can exert an influence over large populations of both serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons. Source
Choroid Plexus of Lateral Ventricle
Our brain’s ventricular system is responsible for the production of CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid). This system is made up of four interconnecting cavities called ventricles. On the other hand, we have 3 membranous layers called the meninges that provide protection to the brain and spinal cord. The innermost layer of the meninges, called the pia mater, forms invaginations in some parts of the ventricles. These vascularized invaginations, are lined by a plexus of specialised cells that produce our CSF. This plexus of cells is called the choroid plexus. The choroid plexus (ChP) is the principal source of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which has accepted roles as a fluid cushion and a sink for nervous system waste in vertebrates. The choroid plexus (ChP) is a secretory tissue responsible for producing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the vertebrate brain. CSF flows from the lateral to the third ventricle via the interventricular foramina (also known as the foramen of Monro), and then through the cerebral aqueduct to the fourth ventricle. Source
Putamen of Lentiform Nucleus
The lentiform nucleus is a collective name given to the putamen and globus pallidus, both of which are nuclei in the basal ganglia. The putamen is a structure in the forebrain. Along with the caudate nucleus it forms the dorsal striatum. The caudate and putamen contain the same types of neurons and circuits – many neuroanatomists consider the dorsal striatum to be a single structure, divided into two parts by a large fiber tract, the internal capsule, passing through the middle. The putamen, together with the globus pallidus, makes up the lentiform nucleus. The putamen is the outermost portion of the basal ganglia. The putamen is interconnected with many other structures and works in conjunction with them to influence many types of motor behaviors. These include motor planning, learning, and execution, motor preparation, specifying amplitudes of movement, and movement sequences. Source
Tail of Caudate Nucleus
The Tail means the smaller end of the caudate nucleus. There is a caudate nucleus within each hemisphere of the brain. So, there is two caudate nuclei, a left and a right. Individually, they resemble a C-shape structure with a wider “head” (Caput in Latin) at the front, tapering to a “body” (corpus) and a much smaller “tail” (cauda) at the end. The caudate nucleus is an important part of the brain’s learning and memory system. Each of the brain’s hemispheres contains a caudate nucleus, and both are located centrally and near the basal ganglia. They are also situated near the thalamus, which is deep in the brain, close to the midbrain. Each nucleus features a wide head that tapers into a body and a thin tail. As a whole, each nucleus is curved and often resembles the letter ‘C’ in shape. The caudate nucleus plays a vital role in how the brain learns, specifically the storing and processing of memories. It works as a feedback processor, which means it uses information from past experiences to influence future actions and decisions. This is important to the development and use of language. Specifically, communication skills are thought to be controlled mostly by the left caudate and the thalamus. Some brain specialists suspect the nucleus may play a role in the development of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). If this is true, it likely occurs because the nucleus is unable to control the transmission of worrying and concerning impulses between the thalamus and the orbitofrontal cortex, which alters the impact of this information on actions and decisions. Damage to the head of the caudate nucleus may lead to dramatic personality change. Source
Occipital Horn of Lateral Ventricle
The lateral ventricles are a paired structure and part of the ventricular system in the brain. They are larger than the third or fourth ventricles, but can be asymmetrical, and each has three horns that project into the lobe after which they are named: The anterior/frontal horn (frontal lobe), posterior/occipital horn (occipital lobe) inferior/temporal horn (temporal lobe). Source
Thalamus
Is the large mass of gray matter in the dorsal part of the diencephalon of the brain with several functions such as the transporting of sensory signals, including motor signals, to the cerebral cortex, and the regulation of consciousness, sleep, and alertness. So, the Thalamus is in charge of passing on information to the sensory receptors (sensory nerve ending that receives information) to the right places of the brain.