LORMA COLLEGES

COLLEGE OF PHYSICAL AND RESPIRATORY THERAPY

City of San Fernando, La Union
NEUROANATOMY
Prepared by: MAVERICK KAYPEE A. COLET, MASE, PTRP

MODULE 2: INTERNAL CAPSULE AND LIMBIC SYSTEM

I. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completing this module students should be able to:
● identify the parts of internal capsule
● identify the parts of the limbic system
● discuss the functions of internal capsule
● describe the functions of the parts of the limbic system

II. LEARNING CONTENT

- Internal Capsule and the parts
- Limbic System and the parts

III. OVERVIEW
This instructional module provides maximum of three hours’ worth of materials on concepts
relevant to the discussion of the Internal Capsule and the Limbic System. The parts and functions of
the Internal Capsule and the Limbic System shall be tackled. On successful completion of this
module, the students will be able to realize the learning outcomes stated.

IV. DISCUSSION: INTERNAL CAPSULE AND LIMBIC SYSTEM

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 INTERNAL CAPSULE
● The internal capsule is a deep subcortical structure that contains a concentration of white matter
projection fibres. These fibres form the corona radiata. Anatomically, this is an important area because
of the high concentration of both motor and sensory projection fibres
● Carries information past the basal ganglia, separating the caudate nucleus and the thalamus from the
putamen and the globus pallidus
● Contains both ascending and descending axons
● Contains fibres going to and coming from the cerebral cortex
● The corticospinal tract constitutes a large part of the internal capsule, carrying motor information from
the primary motor cortex to the lower motor neurons in the spinal cord.
● The internal capsule is V-shaped when cut horizontally, in a transverse plane.
● When cut horizontally:
o the bend in the V is called the genu
o the anterior limb or crus anterius is the part in front of the genu, between the head of the
caudate nucleus and the lenticular nucleus
o the posterior limb or crus posterius is the part behind the genu, between the thalamus and
lenticular nucleus
o the retrolenticular portion is caudal to the lenticular nucleus and carries the optic radiation
also known as the geniculocalcarine tract
o the sublenticular portion is beneath the lenticular nucleus and are tracts involved in the
auditory pathway from the medial geniculate nucleus to the primary auditory cortex
(Brodmann areas 41 and 42)

Genu
o The genu of internal capsule is the flexure of the internal capsule.
o The fibers in the region of the genu are named the geniculate fibers; they originate in the motor part of
the cerebral cortex, and, after passing downward through the base of the cerebral peduncle with the
cerebrospinal fibers, undergo decussation and end in the motor nuclei of the cranial nerves of the
opposite side.
o It is formed by fibers from the corticonuclear tracts.
Anterior limb

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 o The anterior limb of internal capsule (or frontal part) contains:
o (1) fibers running from the thalamus to the frontal lobe;
o (2) fibers connecting the lentiform and caudate nuclei;
o (3) fibers connecting the cortex with the corpus striatum; and
o (4) fibers passing from the frontal lobe through the medial fifth of the base of the cerebral
peduncle to the nuclei pontis.
Posterior limb
o The posterior limb of internal capsule (or occipital part) is the portion of the internal capsule posterior
to the genu.
o The anterior two-thirds of the occipital part of the internal capsule contains fibers of the corticospinal
tract, which arise in the motor area of the cerebral cortex and, passing downward through the middle
three-fifths of the base of the cerebral peduncle, are continued into the pyramids of the medulla
oblongata.
o The posterior third of the occipital part contains:
o (1) sensory fibers, largely derived from the thalamus, though some may be continued upward
from the medial lemniscus;
o (2) the fibers of optic radiation, from the lower visual centers to the cortex of the occipital lobe;
o (3) acoustic fibers, from the lateral lemniscus to the temporal lobe; and
o (4) fibers which pass from the occipital and temporal lobes to the nuclei pontis.

Blood supply to the Internal Capsule

o The superior parts of both the anterior and posterior limbs and the genu of the internal capsule are
supplied by the lenticulostriate arteries, which are branches of the M1 segment of the middle cerebral
artery.
o The inferior half of the anterior limb is supplied via the recurrent artery of Heubner, which is a branch of
the anterior cerebral artery.
o The inferior half of the posterior limb is supplied by the anterior choroidal artery, which is a branch of
the internal carotid artery.
o In summary, the blood supply of the internal capsule is
o Anterior limb: lenticulostriate branches of middle cerebral artery (superior half) and recurrent
artery of Heubner off of the anterior cerebral artery (inferior half)
o Genu: lenticulostriate branches of middle cerebral artery
o Posterior limb: lenticulostriate branches of middle cerebral artery (superior half) and anterior
choroidal artery branch of the internal carotid artery (inferior half)

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 Clinical Findings in Internal Capsular Stroke
● Symptoms and Signs
o Weakness of the face, arm, and/or leg (pure motor stroke)
▪ Known as one of the classic types of lacunar infarcts, a pure motor stroke is the result of
an infarct in the internal capsule.
▪ Pure motor stroke caused by an infarct in the internal capsule is the most common
lacunar syndrome.
o Upper motor neuron signs
▪ hyperreflexia, Babinski sign, Hoffman present, clonus, spasticity
o Mixed sensorimotor stroke
▪ Since both motor and sensory fibers are carried in the internal capsule, a stroke to the
posterior limb of the internal capsule (where motor fibers for the arm, trunk and legs and
sensory fibers are located) can lead to contralateral weakness and contralateral sensory
loss

LIMBIC SYSTEM

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 ● The limbic system is a set of brain structures located on top of the brainstem and buried under the
cortex.
● Limbic system structures are involved in many of our emotions and motivations, particularly those that
are related to survival. Such emotions include fear, anger, and emotions related to sexual behavior.
● The limbic system is also involved in feelings of pleasure that are related to our survival, such as those
experienced from eating and sex.
● The limbic system influences both the peripheral nervous system and the endocrine system.
● Certain structures of the limbic system are involved in memory as well.
● Two large limbic system structures, the amygdala and hippocampus play important roles in memory.

The Amygdala
o The amygdala is a small almond-shaped structure; there is one located in each of the left and right
temporal lobes.
o Known as the emotional center of the brain, the amygdala is involved in evaluating the emotional
valence of situations (e.g., happy, sad, scary).
o It helps the brain recognize potential threats and helps prepare the body for fight-or-flight reactions by
increasing heart and breathing rate.
o The amygdala is also responsible for learning on the basis of reward or punishment.
o Due to its close proximity to the hippocampus, the amygdala is involved in the modulation of memory
consolidation, particularly emotionally-laden memories.
o Emotional arousal following a learning event influences the strength of the subsequent memory of that
event, so that greater emotional arousal following a learning event enhances a person's retention of
that memory. In fact, experiments have shown that administering stress hormones to individuals
immediately after they learn something enhances their retention when they are tested two weeks later.

The Hippocampus
o The hippocampus is found deep in the temporal lobe, and is shaped like a seahorse. It consists of two
horns curving back from the amygdala.

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 o Psychologists and neuroscientists dispute the precise role of the hippocampus, but generally agree that
it plays an essential role in the formation of new memories about past experiences.
o The hippocampus consists of two “horns” that curve back from the amygdala. It appears to be very
important in converting things that are “in your mind” at the moment (in short-term memory) into things
that you will remember for the long run (long-term memory). If the hippocampus is damaged, a person
cannot build new memories, and lives instead in a strange world where everything they experience just
fades away, even while older memories from the time before the damage are untouched.
o Some researchers consider the hippocampus to be responsible for general declarative memory
(memories that can be explicitly verbalized, such as memory of facts and episodic memory).
o Damage to the hippocampus usually results in profound difficulties in forming new memories
(anterograde amnesia), and may also affect access to memories formed prior to the damage
(retrograde amnesia).
o Although the retrograde effect normally extends some years prior to the brain damage, in some cases
older memories remain intact; this leads to the idea that over time the hippocampus becomes less
important in the storage of memory.

The Thalamus and Hypothalamus

o Both the thalamus and hypothalamus are associated with changes in emotional reactivity.
o The thalamus, which is a sensory "way-station" for the rest of the brain, is primarily important due to its
connections with other limbic-system structures.
o The hypothalamus is a small part of the brain located just below the thalamus on both sides of the third
ventricle.
o Lesions of the hypothalamus interfere with several unconscious functions (such as respiration and
metabolism) and some so-called motivated behaviors like sexuality, combativeness, and hunger.
o The lateral parts of the hypothalamus seem to be involved with pleasure and rage, while the medial part
is linked to aversion, displeasure, and a tendency for uncontrollable and loud laughter.

The Cingulate Gyrus

o The cingulate gyrus is located in the medial side of the brain next to the corpus callosum.
o There is still much to be learned about this gyrus, but it is known that its frontal part links smells and
sights with pleasant memories of previous emotions.
o This region also participates in our emotional reaction to pain and in the regulation of aggressive
behavior.

The Basal Ganglia

o The basal ganglia is a group of nuclei lying deep in the subcortical white matter of the frontal lobes that
organizes motor behavior.
o The caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus are major components of the basal ganglia.
o The basal ganglia appears to serve as a gating mechanism for physical movements, inhibiting potential
movements until they are fully appropriate for the circumstances in which they are to be executed.
o The basal ganglia is also involved with:
● rule-based habit learning (e.g., initiating, stopping, monitoring, temporal sequencing, and
maintaining the appropriate movement);
● inhibiting undesired movements and permitting desired ones;
● choosing from potential actions;
● motor planning;
● sequencing;
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 ● predictive control;
● working memory;
● attention

V. REFERENCES
1.Clinical Neuroanatomy 6th Ed. By Richard S. Snell (textbook)
2.Clinical Neuroanatomy, 4th Ed, by Manter and Gatz
3.Synopsis of Neuroanatomy, 3rd Ed. By Matzke and Fotz
4.Neuroanatomy and Neurosurgery, 3rd Ed. By Linsay and Bone

Websites:
https://stanfordmedicine25.stanford.edu/the25/ics.html
https://radiopaedia.org/articles/internal-capsule
https://nba.uth.tmc.edu/neuroanatomy/L2/Lab02p01_index.html
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Limbic-System-and-Behavior.aspx
https://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/limbicsystem.html

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