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- Glossary
Limbic system
The limbic system is a functional unit in the brain. It consists of interconnected structures, primarily in the cerebrum and diencephalon. The structures assigned to the system vary depending on the source, but the most important components are the hippocampus, amygdala, cingulate gyrus, septum, and mammillary bodies. The limbic system is involved in autonomic and visceral processes as well as in mechanisms of emotion, memory, and learning. Some authors mistakenly reduce the limbic system to the emotional world by referring to it as the "emotional brain."
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- Glossary
Lens
The eye lens is a transparent, flexible structure which, thanks to its varying degree of curvature (see ciliary muscle and zonular fibers), enables the process of accommodation (focusing) and thus sharp vision at different distances, especially at close range.
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- Glossary
Flocculonodular lobe
The flocculonodular lobe is an antero-inferior region of the cerebellum. It comprises two structures, the nodulus (nodule) and the flocculus (flocculus). It is involved in balance and spatial orientation, as well as in stabilizing and controlling eye movements. It corresponds to the vestibulocerebellum.
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- Glossary
Method of loci
A method of memorization in which individual pieces of information – from a lecture, for example – are assigned to specific locations along a familiar route. To recall the information during the lecture, this route is mentally retraced and the information is presented in the corresponding order.
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- Glossary
Lucid dream
During a lucid dream, the dreamer is aware of their state and able to control their actions. Although Aristotle reported on this phenomenon and up to 80 percent of all people say they have had lucid dreams, sleep researchers doubted the existence of this phenomenon until the end of the 1960s. Most observations of lucid dreams originate from the REM sleep phase. Scientists have found that lucid dreams are associated with altered activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for the critical evaluation of events. Lucid dreaming can be learned and is now also used in therapy, for example in the treatment of nightmares.
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- Glossary
Macular organs
Together with the semicircular canals, the macular organs form the vestibular system in the inner ear of vertebrates. They consist of two structures positioned perpendicular to each other, the saccule and the utricle. This alignment enables the macular organs to perceive linear accelerations of the body in space along all three spatial axes: up-down, front-back, left and right.
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- Glossary
Magnetic resonance imaging
An imaging technique used by doctors to diagnose various diseases and malformations in different tissues or organs of the body. It is based on the fact that the nuclei of some atoms have an intrinsic angular momentum that aligns itself in a strong magnetic field. This property applies to hydrogen, among other elements. This is why tissues that contain a lot of water can be visualized particularly well. Abbreviation: MRI.
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Manic
A mental disorder characterized by changes in mood. Manic individuals are extremely restless. Symptoms can also include excessive self-confidence, compulsive talking, reduced need for sleep, and impulsiveness. Mania most commonly manifests as part of bipolar disorder, in which manic and depressive phases alternate. This clinical picture is associated with an imbalance of various neurotransmitters in the brain. Accordingly, psychiatrists often treat mania with neuroleptics, which are designed to weaken the effect of neurotransmitters.
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- Glossary
Mechanoreceptor
Mechanoreceptors are sensors that respond specifically to pressure, touch, vibration, or stretching. They are found in the skin, but also in muscles and tendons, and are specialized for different stimuli.
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- Glossary
medial
A positional term – medial means "towards the middle." In relation to the nervous system, it refers to a direction toward the body, away from the sides.
