Internal Capsule - Components

Components

The internal capsule is V-shaped when cut horizontally/transversely (the same plane as the brim of a top hat).

When cut horizontally:

• the bend in the V is called the genu
• the anterior limb or crus anterius is the part in front of the genu, between the head of the caudate nucleus and the lenticular nucleus
• the posterior limb or crus posterius is the part behind the genu, between the thalamus and lenticular nucleus
• the retrolenticular portion is caudal to the lenticular nucleus and carries optic tracts including the geniculocalcarine radiations.
• the sublenticular portion is beneath the lenticular nucleus and are tracts involved in the auditory pathway from medial geniculate nucleus to the primary auditory cortex (Brodmann Area 41)