Limbic System
The limbic system, also known as the emotional brain, is a set of structures located in the mammalian brain, below the cortex, responsible for all emotional responses.
The name “limbic” is derived from the idea of limbus, which is located at the boundary of parts of the brain’s neuroanatomy, between the cortex and the reptilian brain. This term was coined in 1878 by the French physician and anatomist Paul Broca.
Among the various functions for which the limbic system is responsible, some of them are:
- emotional responses;
- the behavior;
- the memory;
- motivation;
- learning.
The Function of the Limbic System
An important function of the limbic system is to coordinate social activities that promote the maintenance of the species, as well as to regulate the mechanisms of responses to the environment that directly affect life in society.
Emotions and feelings are only possible through the functioning of the limbic system. Developing relationships that allow for community life depends on the activity of neurons located in this region.
Neuroanatomy of the Limbic System
The limbic system is formed by a set of neuronal structures that are connected to act in an integrated and complementary way. The main parts are:
- Cingulate gyrus
The cingulate gyrus is the area responsible for emotional responses that connect odors and images to pleasant memories.
The cingulate gyrus also controls aggression and emotional responses to pain, as well as learning through positive or negative reinforcement (reward and punishment).
- Tonsils
The amygdalae are two spherical structures in the neuroanatomy of the limbic system. It is one of the most important areas, responsible for emotional responses related to the social behavior of humans and other mammals. It is one of the main areas for controlling aggression.
The area is connected to the hippocampus and the hypothalamus through the fornix. It develops a series of connections that control various autonomous activities of the body, such as emotional changes in heart rate, breathing and blood pressure.
The relationship between emotional stimuli and muscular responses such as gestures or facial expressions are also mediated by this group of neurons.
- Thalamus
The thalamus is responsible for communication between neurons in various areas of the limbic system. Located in the innermost part of the brain, its connections are related to motor and sensory functions.
- Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is one of the most important areas of the limbic system. It regulates hormone production and other metabolic processes, and connects the nervous system to the endocrine system.
The activities carried out by the hypothalamus control the entire biological cycle, sleep, hunger, thirst, body temperature and is the center of sexual activity. The hypothalamus is also responsible for regulating several autonomous activities of the body.
- Septum
The septum coordinates the relationships between sensations of pleasure, memories and sexual functions, such as orgasm.
- Mammillary Body
The mammillary body is responsible for transmitting impulses from the amygdala and hippocampus. It also functions in maintaining recent memory and spatial memory linked to the location of objects and events.
Limbic System Related Problems
Because it carries out a series of activities in the human body, the malfunctioning of the limbic system can lead to various dysfunctions and diseases such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Memory problems (recent or long-term)
- Alzheimer
- Schizophrenia
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
- Psychomotor Epilepsy
Interested? See also:
- Brain
- Brain
- Central Nervous System
- Nervous System
- Human Body System