Mammillary bodies
Mammillary Bodies
The Mammillary Bodies (pronunciation: mam-uh-luh-ree boh-deez) are a pair of small round bodies, located on the undersurface of the brain that form part of the limbic system. They are associated with the sense of smell and the ability to form new memories.
Etymology
The term "Mammillary" is derived from the Latin mammilla, meaning "little breast", due to the structures' resemblance to breasts.
Function
The Mammillary Bodies are important for recollective memory. They receive signals from the hippocampus via the fornix and project them to the thalamus, a process that is crucial for memory formation.
Clinical Significance
Damage to the Mammillary Bodies can result in memory loss, specifically the ability to form new memories. This is often seen in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a neurological disorder typically associated with chronic alcohol abuse.
Related Terms
- Brain: The organ of the body where thoughts, feelings, and perceptions occur; the control center for the nervous system.
- Limbic System: A complex system of nerves and networks in the brain, involving several areas near the edge of the cortex concerned with instinct and mood.
- Hippocampus: A small organ located within the brain's medial temporal lobe and forms an important part of the limbic system, the region that regulates emotions.
- Fornix: A C-shaped bundle of nerve fibers in the brain that carries signals from the hippocampus to the mammillary bodies and then to the anterior nuclei of thalamus.
- Thalamus: Either of two masses of gray matter lying between the cerebral hemispheres on either side of the third ventricle, relaying sensory information and acting as a center for pain perception.
- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: A neurological disorder characterized by severe memory loss, confabulation, and thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, typically associated with chronic alcohol abuse.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mammillary bodies
- Wikipedia's article - Mammillary bodies
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