NEUROANATOMY. FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF THE LIMBIC SYSTEM

Abstract

The limbic system represents a complex neural network responsible for integrating emotional behavior, memory processes, autonomic responses, and motivational states. This article reviews the structural organization and functional anatomy of the limbic system and highlights its central role in regulating higher cortical and subcortical functions. Special emphasis is placed on the relationship between limbic circuits, emotional processing, memory consolidation, and homeostatic regulation. The review summarizes recent neuroanatomical findings, discusses methodological approaches used to study limbic structures, and provides a synthesized understanding of the system’s functional significance. The limbic system is a highly integrated neuroanatomical network responsible for coordinating emotional regulation, memory processes, motivational behaviors, and autonomic responses essential for survival. This expanded section provides a detailed examination of the functional pathways that connect major limbic structures, emphasizing the dynamic relationships among cortical and subcortical components. Special focus is given to how limbic circuits translate sensory information into adaptive behavioral outputs through synchronized neuronal activity, modulated neurotransmitter signaling, and interregional communication. The annotation outlines how disruptions in these pathways contribute to significant neurological and psychiatric disorders, demonstrating the clinical relevance of understanding limbic system function at structural, biochemical, and behavioral levels.