Cingulate Cortex

The cingulate cortex makes up a large part of the limbic system, a complex system of networks in the brain that plays a primary role in integrating internal drives and emotions with higher order cognitive functions, such as memory. It is visible from the medial view of the brain and is directly superior to (i.e., above) the corpus callosum. The cingulate cortex receives information from the thalamus and projects information to the parahippocampal gyrus through a white matter pathway called the cingulate bundle or cingulum. The cingulate cortex plays a crucial role in linking thoughts and actions to an individual’s emotions, motivations, and social drives. Researchers have identified distinct regions within the cingulate cortex, including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). ...