Uncus

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Brain: Uncus

Scheme of rhinencephalon. (Uncus labeled at bottom right.)
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Latin	'
Gray's	subject #189 826
Part of
Components
Artery
Vein
BrainInfo/UW	hier-21
MeSH	[1]

The anterior extremity of the hippocampal gyrus is recurved in the form of a hook, the uncus, which is separated from the apex of the temporal lobe by a slight fissure, the incisura temporalis.

Although superficially continuous with the hippocampal gyrus, the uncus forms morphologically a part of the rhinencephalon.

The term uncus was coined by Felix Vicq d’Azyr (1748–1794).^[1]

[edit] Clinical significance

The part of the olfactory cortex that is on the temporal lobe covers the area of the uncus, which leads into the two significant clinical aspects of the uncus: uncinate fits and uncal herniations.

Seizures, often preceded by hallucinations of disagreeable odors, often originate in the uncus.

In situations of tumor, hemorrhage, or edema, increased volume of the temporal lobe can push the uncus against the brainstem and its corresponding cranial nerves. If the uncus becomes herniated the structure lying just medial to it, cranial nerve III, can become compressed. This causes problems associated with a non-functional or problematic CNIII - pupil on ipsilateral side fails to constrict to light, etc. Brainstem damage is typically contralateral to the herniation.

[edit] Additional images

Gray740.png

Inferior and posterior cornua, viewed from above.

Diagram of the fornix.

[edit] External links

THOR Neuroinformatics/WOROI 169

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.