Anatomy of the Prefrontal Cortex
2008; Elsevier BV; Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/b978-0-12-373644-4.00002-5
Autores Tópico(s)Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
ResumoThis chapter focuses on the anatomy and developmental neurobiology of the prefrontal cortex. It begins with a discussion of issues related to the phylogenetic development and comparative anatomy of the neocortex of the frontal lobe. The chapter also deals with its ontogenetic development and the morphological changes it undergoes as a result of aging. The ontogenetic development of the prefrontal cortex reflects its phylogeny. Orbitomedial areas mature earlier than lateral ones. In early life, neurons in the prefrontal cortex proliferate migrate to their ultimate cortical destination, and experience growth according to the timetable that prevails throughout the neocortex. The chapter then deals with the anatomy and microscopic architecture of the prefrontal cortex in the adult organism. Different regions of the prefrontal cortex have different sets of reciprocal connections. An overview of the afferent and efferent connections of the prefrontal cortex in several species is also provided in the chapter. This overview of connectivity of the prefrontal cortex, arguably the most richly connected of all cortical regions, opens the way to subsequent chapters, where connectivity is found to be the key to all its functions.
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