In the Papez circuit of the limbic system, the mammillary bodies project to which nucleus, from which information continues to the cingulate gyrus?

• A Medial dorsal nucleus of the thalamus
• B Pulvinar of the thalamus
• C Ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus
• D Anterior nuclear group of the thalamus ✓

Explanation

The Papez circuit runs: hippocampal formation, fornix, mammillary bodies, mamillothalamic tract, anterior thalamic nuclei, cingulate gyrus, cingulum back to entorhinal cortex and hippocampus. The anterior nuclear group is the thalamic relay specific to this memory and emotion circuit. The medial dorsal nucleus serves the prefrontal association cortex, the ventrolateral nucleus relays basal ganglia and cerebellar output to motor cortex, and the pulvinar handles visual attention, so none participates in the classical Papez loop.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, 42nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.