Perirhinal cortex

Perirhinal cortex is a part of the brain located in the medial temporal lobe, and plays a significant role in memory and recognition. It is named for its proximity to the rhinal sulcus, a deep groove in the brain's surface.

Anatomy

The perirhinal cortex is located in the medial temporal lobe, adjacent to the entorhinal cortex. It is divided into two areas, area 35 and area 36, which have distinct connections and different functions. Area 35 is closer to the rhinal sulcus, while area 36 is closer to the hippocampus.

File:Perirhinal cortex location.png

Location of the perirhinal cortex in the brain

Function

The perirhinal cortex is involved in both visual recognition and memory. It is particularly important for the recognition of individual objects, and damage to this area can lead to visual agnosia, a condition in which patients can see objects but cannot recognize or identify them.

In terms of memory, the perirhinal cortex is involved in declarative memory, which is the ability to consciously recall facts and events. It is also involved in fear conditioning, a type of learning in which an organism learns to associate a neutral stimulus with an aversive event.

Clinical significance

Damage to the perirhinal cortex can lead to a variety of cognitive deficits, including amnesia, visual agnosia, and prosopagnosia, a condition in which patients cannot recognize faces. It has also been implicated in Alzheimer's disease, as this area of the brain is one of the first to show signs of degeneration.

See also

• Rhinal sulcus
• Medial temporal lobe
• Entorhinal cortex
• Hippocampus
• Visual agnosia
• Declarative memory
• Fear conditioning
• Amnesia
• Prosopagnosia
• Alzheimer's disease