Papez Circuit

Papez Circuit
  • It is one of the major circuitous tracts of the limbic system, which was initially described by Papez.
  • Refers to a closed circuit formed by connections between:-
    • Cingulate gyrus in prefrontal lobe
    • Hippocampus
    • Mammillary Bodies
    • Anterior Nucleus of Thalamus
  • Hippocampus is connected to mamillary bodies of hypothalamus via fornix.
  • Mamillary bodies are connected to anterior thalamic nucleus via mammillothalamic tract.
  • Anterior thalamic nucleus is projected into cingulate gyrus through medial thalamocortical fibers.
  • Circuit is completed by cingulate gyrus in turn connecting to hippocampus.
  • The circuit is completed by the
  • Responsible for-
    • Resting EEG
    • Emotions and behaviour related to preservation of species
    • Through Mammillothalamic tract, thalamus is concerned with recent memory and emotion
    • Role in Memory Encoding
  • The minor circuitous tracts of limbic system connect other structures within the major circuit.