Pyriform cortex

Pyriform Cortex

The Pyriform Cortex is a region of the brain that is part of the olfactory system, responsible for the processing of olfaction (sense of smell). It is located in the telencephalon, the most anterior part of the brain, and is considered part of the paleocortex, which is a type of cortex that emerged early in evolution.

Structure

The Pyriform Cortex is a three-layered cortex that covers the amygdala and the hippocampus. It is divided into two regions: the anterior pyriform cortex (APC) and the posterior pyriform cortex (PPC). The APC receives direct input from the olfactory bulb, while the PPC receives input from the APC and other cortical and subcortical regions.

Function

The primary function of the Pyriform Cortex is the processing and perception of odors. It receives sensory information directly from the olfactory bulb and is involved in the identification and discrimination of different odors. The Pyriform Cortex also plays a role in olfactory learning and memory, as it is connected to the hippocampus and the amygdala, regions of the brain involved in memory and emotion.

Clinical significance

Damage to the Pyriform Cortex can result in anosmia, a loss of the sense of smell. It has also been implicated in certain neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and epilepsy. In particular, the Pyriform Cortex is often involved in temporal lobe epilepsy, the most common form of epilepsy in adults.

See also

• Olfactory system
• Olfactory bulb
• Paleocortex
• Anosmia
• Schizophrenia
• Epilepsy

References

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