Here are the important forebrain structures that can be seen in the medial surface of the brain. Notice the cut surface of the corpus callosum, a huge bundle of axons that connects the two sides of the cerebrum. The unique contributions of the two cerebral hemispheres to human brain function can be studied in patients whose callosum has been sectioned. The fornix is another prominent fibre bundle that connects the hippocampus on each side with the hypothalamus. Fornix is Latin for 'arch'. Some of the axons in the fornix regulate memory storage.
Optic chiasm
Olfactory bulb
Fornix
Cingulate gyrus
Corpus callosum (cut edge)
Calcarine fissure
This section has been tilted a little to show the positions of the amygdala and hippocampus. These are phantom views of these structures as they cannot be observed directly from the surface, both lying deep beneath the overlying cortex. The amygdala (Latin for 'almond') is an important structure regulating emotional states, and the hippocampus is important for memory.
Hippocampus (beneath overlying cortex)
Amygdala (beneath overlying cortex)
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