Mammillary body

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Mammillary Body

The Mammillary Body (pronunciation: mam-uh-luh-ree boh-dee) is a pair of small round bodies, located on the undersurface of the brain that form part of the limbic system. They are associated with memory and are named for their resemblance to breasts (mammillae).

Etymology

The term "Mammillary Body" is derived from the Latin word 'mammilla' meaning 'little breast', due to its shape. The term was first used in the 17th century.

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 part of the brain that is involved in consciousness, sleep, and sensory interpretation.

Related Terms

  • Anterior thalamic nuclei: These are relay stations in the brain that receive information from the Mammillary Bodies.
  • Memory: The Mammillary Bodies play a crucial role in memory formation and retrieval.
  • Korsakoff's syndrome: A neurological disorder often associated with alcohol abuse, which can cause damage to the Mammillary Bodies.
  • Fornix: A bundle of nerve fibers in the brain that carries signals from the hippocampus to the Mammillary Bodies.

See Also

External links

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