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The limbic system – also known as the limbic system or the marginal system – is the set of cortical and subcortical structures in the brain. Its functions include, first of all, regulating behavior related to emotions and certain emotional states, for example feelings of fear, satisfaction, pleasure, euphoria, elation. The limbic system is also involved in the processes of remembering and motivating. It is also where the olfactory center is located.
Term limbic system it appeared in the XNUMXth century in medical literature, but is now being used in the sense of the anatomically separate structure of the brain.
The limbic system it is a physiological concept, not an anatomical one – it concerns processes taking place in various structures of the brain, not a specific part or a specific region of the brain.
Anatomy of the limbic system
The structures belonging to the limbic system include: olfactory brain, limbic lobe, cingulate gyrus, hippocampal gyrus, subcommon gyrus, hippocampus, gray thread, tapeworm gyrus, dentate gyrus, amygdala, marginal stripe, transparent septum, paraxial gyrus, nucleus accumbens, vault, thalamus, anterior thalamus the medial nucleus of the thalamus, the hypothalamus, the mastoid body, the midbrain, and the intercranial nucleus. Some scientists count to the limbic system also the orbital gyrus, the ventral part of the striatum and the pale ball, the ventral tegmental area, and the gray matter.
However, it should be emphasized that there is currently no single classification distinguishing individual elements and structures (it is not accepted in scientific publications). the limbic system. The use of the term is being abandoned at all limbic system in an anatomical sense.
Functions of the limbic system
The earliest recognized function the limbic system is his responsibility for the olfactory sensations. Another essential function performed by this system is triggering certain emotions and drive behaviors – for example fear and aggression. The limbic system it is also responsible for the feeling of hunger, thirst and sexual desire.
The hippocampus (or actually: the hippocampus, we have two of them – one in each hemisphere of the brain) belongs to the structures layout limbic However, it is responsible for the processing of information that reaches us on an ongoing basis at a given moment (short-term memory), as well as for memory processes and emotions. It’s in this structure the limbic system there is a consolidation of memory and current information (for example when reading some text).
The amygdala belonging to the limbic system it has the function of triggering emotions such as joy, contentment and euphoria, but also anxiety. It is also responsible for the so-called emotional memory.
The limbic system it also controls the hormonal balance.
Damage and diseases of the limbic system and their effects
Damage or diseases of individual parts and structures the limbic system they can cause a variety of disorders – for example, eating disorders or sex drive disorders. The limbic system it also affects vegetative functions such as blood circulation and respiration, so damaging its structures responsible for these processes can have very serious consequences. Malfunctioning limbic system it is also problems with memory and emotions.
Damage The hippocampus (hippocampus), for example, result in problems with processing and remembering current information, i.e. short-term memory, also called fresh memory. Abnormal emotional responses can also arise as a result of this type of damage.
Damage structure limbic may be associated with temporal seizures, sclerosis, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The resulting anxiety states, psychotic and affective disorders, and ADHD are then observed.
It is also observed that in the case of people affected by schizophrenia, the structure the limbic system they are relatively smaller than in healthy people. Operation relationship the limbic system with this disease, however, is not yet fully understood.
Due to the interconnection of structures included in the limbic system with numerous systems and functions of the body, it is assumed that each disease or damage will have a significant (negative) effect on the functioning of the entire body.