Internal capsule

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Internal Capsule

The Internal Capsule (In-ter-nal Cap-sule) is a white matter structure situated in the inferomedial part of each cerebral hemisphere of the brain. It carries information past the basal ganglia, linking the thalamus with the cerebral cortex.

Etymology

The term "Internal Capsule" is derived from the Latin words "internus" meaning inside and "capsula" which means little box.

Anatomy

The Internal Capsule is divided into three parts: the anterior limb, the posterior limb, and the genu. The anterior limb contains fibers running from the thalamus to the frontal lobe, while the posterior limb contains fibers running from the thalamus to the parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes. The genu, or bend, contains fibers running from the thalamus to the motor cortex.

Function

The Internal Capsule is responsible for carrying information from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord, brain stem, and other parts of the brain. It is crucial for motor, sensory, and cognitive functions.

Related Terms

  • Cerebral Cortex: The outer layer of the cerebrum, playing a key role in memory, attention, perception, cognition, awareness, thought, language, and consciousness.
  • Basal Ganglia: A group of structures in the brain involved in various processes, including motor control and learning.
  • Thalamus: A large mass of gray matter located in the dorsal part of the diencephalon, responsible for relaying sensory information to the cerebral cortex.
  • Brain Stem: The posterior part of the brain, continuous with the spinal cord, responsible for controlling the flow of messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

External links

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