Precuneus
The precuneus is a part of the brain located on the medial surface of the parietal lobe. It is situated between the cuneus and the paracentral lobule, and is bounded anteriorly by the marginal sulcus and posteriorly by the parieto-occipital sulcus. The precuneus is involved in a variety of complex functions, including visuospatial processing, episodic memory, and aspects of consciousness.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The precuneus is a subdivision of the parietal lobe and is located in the medial part of the brain. It is bordered by the cingulate gyrus inferiorly and the superior parietal lobule laterally. The region is supplied by branches of the posterior cerebral artery and the anterior cerebral artery.
Functions[edit | edit source]
The precuneus is implicated in several high-level cognitive functions:
- Visuospatial Processing: The precuneus plays a crucial role in spatial orientation and the perception of the environment.
- Episodic Memory: It is involved in the retrieval of autobiographical memories and the mental imagery associated with these memories.
- Self-Referential Processing: The precuneus is active during tasks that involve self-reflection and the contemplation of one's own thoughts and feelings.
- Consciousness: Studies have shown that the precuneus is active during states of wakefulness and conscious awareness.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Damage to the precuneus can result in a variety of neurological deficits. Lesions in this area can lead to impairments in memory, spatial awareness, and self-perception. Additionally, abnormalities in the precuneus have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.
Research[edit | edit source]
Recent research has focused on the role of the precuneus in the default mode network (DMN), a network of brain regions that are active when the brain is at rest and not focused on the external environment. The precuneus is considered a central node in this network, contributing to the brain's baseline activity and internal thought processes.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
