The internal capsule is a white matter structure located in the brain. It is a major fiber pathway connecting the cerebral cortex to deeper structures in the brain. It is comprised of three parts: the anterior limb, the genu, and the posterior limb. Studies have demonstrated that the internal capsule plays an important role in motor, sensory, and cognitive functioning. In this article, we will review the anatomy of the internal capsule, its role in neural functioning, and potential clinical implications.
Anatomy
The internal capsule is located in the centre of the brain, between the thalamus and the lentiform nucleus. It is composed of two separate parts, the anterior limb and the posterior limb. The anterior limb is composed of the genu, the anterior thalamic peduncle, and the ventral anterior nucleus. The posterior limb contains the posterior thalamic peduncle, the retrolenticular part, and the sublenticular part (Kumar, Aggarwal, & Aggarwal, 2014).
Function
The internal capsule is composed of myelinated axons from the cerebral cortex, which connect it to deeper structures in the brain. It is composed of both sensory and motor axons, which are responsible for relaying sensory information to the thalamus and cortical motor areas (Kumar et al., 2014). Studies have also demonstrated that the internal capsule is involved in cognitive functioning, particularly in attentional control and working memory (Kumar et al., 2014).
Clinical Implications
Damage to the internal capsule can have significant implications for neural functioning. It can result in impaired motor control, as well as deficits in sensory processing and working memory (Kumar et al., 2014). Additionally, damage to this structure has been implicated in psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression (Kumar et al., 2014). Therefore, understanding the anatomy and functioning of the internal capsule is important for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Conclusion
The internal capsule is an important white matter structure in the brain. It is composed of sensory and motor axons, which connect the cortex to deeper structures in the brain. Additionally, the internal capsule is involved in cognitive functioning, particularly in attentional control and working memory. Damage to this structure can lead to deficits in motor and sensory processing, as well as psychiatric disorders. Therefore, understanding the anatomy and functioning of the internal capsule is important for diagnosis and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
References
Kumar, A., Aggarwal, V., & Aggarwal, S. (2014). Anatomy and physiology of internal capsule. Indian Journal of Neurosurgery, 3(2), 105-109.