4.5: Other Areas of the Forebrain

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Todd LaMarr

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Additional Forebrain Areas

Other areas of the forebrain, located beneath the cerebral cortex, include the thalamus and the limbic system. The thalamus is a sensory relay for the brain. All of our senses, with the exception of smell, are routed through the thalamus before being directed to other areas of the brain for processing (Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)).

Thalamus located in the center of the brain — Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\):Thalamus. The thalamus serves as the relay center of the brain where most senses are routed for processing. (Copyright; ^{^[1]})

The limbic system is involved in processing both emotion and memory. Interestingly, the sense of smell projects directly to the limbic system; therefore, not surprisingly, smell can evoke emotional responses in ways that other sensory modalities cannot. The limbic system is made up of a number of different structures, but three of the most important are the hippocampus, the amygdala, and the hypothalamus (see Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\)). The hippocampus is an essential structure for learning and memory. The amygdala is involved in our experience of emotion and in tying emotional meaning to our memories. The hypothalamus regulates a number of homeostatic processes, including the regulation of body temperature, appetite, and blood pressure. The hypothalamus also serves as an interface between the nervous system and the endocrine system and in the regulation of sexual motivation and behavior. ^{^[2]}

The limbic system is involved in mediating emotional response and memory including the hypothalamus located in the center of the brain, Amygdala just below it and the , and the Hippocampus below that at the bottom of the brain — Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): The limbic system.. (^{^[3]})

^{^[1]} Image from “The Brain and Spinal Cord” on OpenStax is licensed under CC by 4.0

^{^[2]} “The Brain and Spinal Cord” on OpenStax is licensed under CC by 4.0

^{^[3]} The Limbic System from “The Brain and Spinal Cord” on OpenStax is licensed under CC by 4.0