cingulate

The cingulate refers to the cingulate cortex and related structures along the medial wall of the cerebral hemispheres. It encompasses a belt-like region that lies superior to the corpus callosum, extending from the parahippocampal gyrus posteriorly toward the frontal lobe anteriorly. The term is often used in reference to both the cingulate gyrus itself and adjacent portions of the limbic system.

Anatomically, the cingulate gyrus is bounded by the cingulate sulcus. Broadly, it is divided into anterior and posterior parts, with a midcingulate region in between. The anterior cingulate cortex is associated with emotion processing, motivation, and cognitive control, including error monitoring and decision making. The posterior cingulate cortex participates in memory retrieval, internally directed attention, and aspects of the default mode network.

Neural connections: The cingulate cortex connects with prefrontal, parietal, hippocampal, and thalamic regions. The cingulum, a white matter tract within the cingulate bundle, links the cingulate gyrus to the hippocampus and other limbic structures, supporting integrated emotional and cognitive processing.

Clinical relevance: Abnormal cingulate function is implicated in mood disorders, chronic pain, schizophrenia, and neurodegenerative diseases. Functional imaging shows ACC and PCC activity patterns linked to mood regulation, error processing, and self-referential thinking. The term derives from Latin cingulum, meaning "girdle" or "belt," reflecting its encircling trajectory around the corpus callosum.