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AnatomyNeuroanatomyDiencephalonInternal capsule
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AnatomyNeuroanatomyDiencephalonInternal capsule

Internal capsule

Author: Roberto Grujičić, MD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 1 minute

Recommended video: Horizontal section of the brain [26:37]
Horizontal sections of the brain at the levels of the genu of the corpus callosum and the habenula.
Internal capsule
Capsula interna
1/6
Synonyms: none

The internal capsule is a white matter structure of the brain. It is located in the inferomedial part of each cerebral hemisphere. More specifically, it is situated lateral to the thalamus and caudate nucleus, and medial to the lentiform nucleus.

The internal capsule can be divided into several parts: anterior limb, genu, posterior limb, retrolenticular segment, and sublenticular segment.

It is mainly composed of myelinated nerve fibers of ascending and descending tracts of the central nervous system. These tracts mainly connect the cerebral cortex with the subcortical structures, brainstem and spinal cord.

Terminology English: Internal capsule
Latin: Capsula interna
Definition White matter structure in the inferomedial portion of the cerebral hemisphere.
Divisions Anterior limb, genu, posterior limb, retrolenticular segment, and sublenticular segment.
Function Connections between cerebral cortex and subcortical structures, brainstem and spinal cord. 

Explore the structure of the internal capsule seen through the horizontal section of the brain with the following study unit!

Horizontal section of the brain Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

Snell R. Clinical Neuroanatomy. 7th edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Elliot L.Manchell: Gray's Clinical Neuroanatomy: The Anatomic Basis for Clinical Neuroscience

Emos MC, Agarwal S. Neuroanatomy, Internal Capsule. [Updated 2021 Jul 31]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.

I. Singh: Textbook of Human neuroanatomy, 7th edition, (2006), p.207 – 213.

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