Medical Definition of Internal capsule
1.
A massive layer (8 to 10 mm thick) of white matter separating the caudate nucleus and thalamus (medial) from the more laterally situated lentiform nucleus (globus pallidus and putamen). It consists of 1) fibres ascending from the thalamus to the cerebral cortex that compose, among others, the visual, auditory, and somatic sensory radiations, and 2) fibres descending from the cerebral cortex to the thalamus, subthalamic region, midbrain, hindbrain, and spinal cord.
The internal capsule is the major route by which the cerebral cortex is connected with the brainstem and spinal cord. Laterally and superiorly it is continuous with the corona radiata which forms a major part of the cerebral hemisphere's white matter; caudally and medially it continues, much reduced in size, as the crus cerebri which contains, among others, the pyramidal tract.
On horizontal section it appears in the form of a V opening out laterally; the V's obtuse angle is called genu (knee). Its anterior and posterior limbs, respectively, the crus anterior and crus posterior.
Synonym: capsula interna.
(05 Mar 2000)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Internal Capsule
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