The limbic lobe
Limbic lobe (cingulate gyrus) · lobus limbicus
A curved band of brain around the brain's centre, involved in emotion, motivation and attention.
What it does
The limbic lobe wraps around the inner edge of each hemisphere, just above the bundle of fibres that joins the two halves. The cingulate gyrus, its main part, helps link feelings to actions, notices mistakes and conflicts, and adds an emotional edge to pain.
Surprising fact
The front of the cingulate gyrus becomes active when you feel the unpleasantness of pain, and also when you feel socially rejected.
Why it matters
Parts of this region are involved in mood and attention, and they are targeted in some treatments for severe depression.
Nearby
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Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.