Uncus
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At the time the article was created René Pfleger had no recorded disclosures.
View René Pfleger's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Daniel J Bell had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Daniel J Bell's current disclosures- Unci (temporal lobe)
The uncus (plural: unci) is the innermost part of the anterior parahippocampal gyrus, part of the mesial temporal lobe.
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Gross anatomy
The uncus is the most anterior portion of the medial parahippocampal gyrus. It belongs to the limbic system. Housing the primary olfactory cortex, it is part of the olfactory system, receiving fibers from the olfactory tract via the lateral olfactory stria. It is divided into
anterior part
posterior part: belongs to the hippocampus
The anterior part is identified by two protrusions; ambient and semilunar gyri.
The semilunar gyrus is best identified by the semilunar sulcus.The inferior surface of the uncus is crossed by a transverse marking; the band of Giacomini, which represents the rostral end of the dentate gyrus.
Posterior to the band of Giacomini, the uncal apex is formed of CA3 and CA4, and covered by the alveus, the fimbria is attached to its extremity 4 .
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Arterial supply
The uncus is irrigated by uncal branches of the anterior choroidal artery most commonly, followed by branches of the middle cerebral artery (usually from the temporopolar artery), internal carotid artery, and posterior cerebral artery 5.
Related pathology
The uncus is a common origin of temporal lobe seizures. Seizures starting in the uncus may be preceded by olfactory or gustatory hallucinations (uncinate fits 3), hence the antiquated term rhinencephalon for its developmental origin.
The uncus is also featured in the term uncal herniation (downward transtentorial herniation of the uncus).
History and etymology
Uncus is Latin for "hook", referencing its shape.
References
- 1. Haines DE. Fundamental Neuroscience for Basic and Clinical Applications: with STUDENT CONSULT Online Access, 4e. Saunders. ISBN:1437702945. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon Chapter 31, 431-441.e1
- 2. Neuroanatomy: an Illustrated Colour Text, 5e. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN:0702054054. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon Chapter 16, 160-170
- 3. Mackay FH. Uncinate Fits. Can Med Assoc J. 2010;14 (3): 233-5. Free text at pubmed - Pubmed citation
- 4. Duvernoy HM. The Human Hippocampus. Springer. ISBN:3540231919. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 5. Marinković SV, Milisavljević MM, Vucković VD. Microvascular anatomy of the uncus and the parahippocampal gyrus. (1991) Neurosurgery. 29 (6): 805-14. doi:10.1097/00006123-199112000-00001 - Pubmed
Incoming Links
- Rhinal sulcus
- Olfactory nerve
- Basal vein of Rosenthal
- Crural cisterns
- Uncal artery
- Band of Giacomini
- Suprasellar cistern
- Uncal herniation
- Mesial temporal lobe
- Kernohan phenomenon
- Uncinate fasciculus
- Olfactory system
- Optic tract
- Choroidal fissure
- Parahippocampal gyrus
- CNS capillary telangiectasia
- Anterior choroidal artery
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