What is the Limbic System?
The limbic system, named after the Latin word limbus for edge, is the innermost part of the brain, wrapped around the core ventricles. It is filled with cerebrospinal fluid and various clumps of white matter, which does not play much of a role in cognition. The limbic system is called the “old mammalian system” or the “mammalian brain” in the popular triune brain model, which splits the brain into three parts depending on their location and functions. The other parts are the reptilian brain or the brain stem, and the cerebral cortex or the neocortex. These are responsible for “lower” and “higher” behavior respectively. The limbic system’s components are the amygdala, the hippocampus, the cingulate gyrus, fornicate gyrus, hypothalamus, mammillary body, epithalamus, nucleus accumbens (the brain’s famed “pleasure center”), orbitofrontal cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, and the thalamus. Each plays an important role in making things run smoothly in the brain. Analogous structures can be foun
In our brains there are several primitive structures that give us important abilities that are needed for the survival of the species. The limbic system is that group of brain structures devoted to the ability to fight or run away in an emergency. The limbic system also helps us to remember events that caused strong emotions. Where is the Limbic System? Deep within the center of our advanced thinking brain (cerebral hemispheres), there is a primitive emotion brain (limbic system). The limbic system consists of several structures, including the amygdala (sometimes called the rage center), and the hippocampus (an important part of our memory system). How does the Limbic System Work? If someone were to be attacked, the limbic system would first produce fear and then perhaps rage. The fear would energize the body to help you to run away, if possible. If not, your limbic system might trigger a rage, which would prepare the body to fight in a ferocious manner, to protect yourself or your lov
