Hippocampus

Hippocampus

  • Synonym: Hippocampal formation

Definition

The hippocampus is a curved and elongated structure that is part of the hippocampal formation. This formation includes other structures like the subiculum and dentate gyrus. The hippocampus stretches along the floor of the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle and resembles a curved and elongated gyrus. At its front end, it expands to form a paw-like structure known as the pes-hippocampus. The hippocampus gives rise to white matter fibers called the alveus, which carry efferent neurons away from it. These fibers converge on its inner side to form bundles known as the fimbria. The fimbria then continue to extend and form the crura of the fornix.

The main function of the hippocampus is associated with the formation of long-term memories. If the hippocampus is damaged, it can result in memory loss or amnesia.

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Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2024 IMAIOS.

  • Snell, R.S. (2010). ‘Chapter 9: Reticular formation and limbic system’, in Clinical Neuroanatomy. (7th ed.) Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, pp. 307-312.

  • Blumenfield, H. (2002). ‘Chapter 18: Limbic system: Homeostasis, Olfaction, Memory, and Emotion’ in Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, MA 01375 U.S.A. pp.775.

  • https://nba.uth.tmc.edu/neuroscience/m/s4/chapter05.html


Comparative anatomy in animals

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