General Topography of the Limbic System

Abstract

As indicated in the first chapter, the use of the term “rhinencephalon” diminished as it became apparent that the anatomical relationships of these structures with the olfactory system were less prominent than originally thought (Brodal, 1947). Although the initial tendency was to use Broca’s terminology, “limbic lobe,” more recent usage seems to favor the term “limbic system” (e.g., MacLean, 1952). This modern substitution of the term “system” instead of “lobe” is probably the result of the identification of numerous interconnections among the various structures. In fact, the identification of anatomical connections has been the basis for including several additional structures within the so-called limbic system. Although there is no universal agreement as to which structures are to be included in the limbic system, the structures most commonly included are the hippocampus, the cingulate gyrus, the septum, the amygdala, the entorhinal cortex, and parts of the hypothalamus and midbrain.