| internal capsule | <anatomy, neurology> A massive layer (8 to 10 mm thick) of white matter separating the caudate nucleus and thalamus (medial) from the more laterally situated lentiform nucleus (globus pallidus and putamen). It consists of 1) fibres ascending from the thalamus to the cerebral cortex that compose, among others, the visual, auditory, and somatic sensory radiations, and 2) fibres descending from the cerebral cortex to the thalamus, subthalamic region, midbrain, hindbrain, and spinal cord. The internal capsule is the major route by which the cerebral cortex is connected with the brainstem and spinal cord. Laterally and superiorly it is continuous with the corona radiata which forms a major part of the cerebral hemisphere's white matter; caudally and medially it continues, much reduced in size, as the crus cerebri which contains, among others, the pyramidal tract. On horizontal section it appears in the form of a V opening out laterally; the V's obtuse angle is called genu (knee). Its anterior and posterior limbs, respectively, the crus anterior and crus posterior. Synonym: capsula interna. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| internal capsule syndrome | <syndrome> Hemianopsia with contralateral hemianesthesia of the face. (05 Mar 2000) |
| optic capsule | The concentrated zone of mesenchyme around the developing optic cup; the primordium of the sclera of the eye. (05 Mar 2000) |
| otic capsule | The cartilage capsule surrounding the inner ear mechanism; in elasmobranchs, it remains cartilaginous in the adult; in the embryos of higher vertebrates, it is cartilaginous at first but later becomes bony (at approximately 23 weeks in humans). (05 Mar 2000) |
| Tenon's capsule | A condensation of connective tissue on the outer aspect of the sclera from which it is separated by a narrow cleftlike episcleral space; the sheath is attached to the sclera near the sclerocorneal junction and blends with the fascia of the extraocular muscles. Synonym: vagina bulbi, capsula bulbi, eye capsule, fascia bulbi, sheath of eyeball, Tenon's capsule, vagina oculi. (05 Mar 2000) |
| joint capsule | The sac-like envelope which encloses the cavity of a synovial joint by attaching to the circumference of the articular end of each involved bone. It consists of two layers. The fibrous membrane of the articular capsule (membrana fibrosa capsulae articularis) is the outer layer and is composed of dense white fibrous tissue. The synovial membrane (membrana synovialis capsulae articularis) is the inner layer composed of loose connective tissue and possessing a smooth surface lining the joint cavity. (12 Dec 1998) |
| external capsule | A thin lamina of white substance separating the claustrum from the putamen. It joins the internal capsule at either extremity of the putamen, forming a capsule of white matter external to the lenticular nucleus. Synonym: capsula externa, periclaustral lamina. (05 Mar 2000) |
| extreme capsule | The layer of white matter separating the claustrum from the cortex of the insula, probably representing largely corticopetal and corticofugal fibres of the insular cortex. Synonym: capsula extrema. (05 Mar 2000) |
| eye capsule | A condensation of connective tissue on the outer aspect of the sclera from which it is separated by a narrow cleftlike episcleral space; the sheath is attached to the sclera near the sclerocorneal junction and blends with the fascia of the extraocular muscles. Synonym: vagina bulbi, capsula bulbi, eye capsule, fascia bulbi, sheath of eyeball, Tenon's capsule, vagina oculi. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fatty renal capsule | The perirenal fat. Synonym: capsula adiposa renis, adipose capsule. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fibrous articular capsule | The outer fibrous part of the capsule of a synovial joint, which may in places be thickened to form capsular ligaments. Synonym: membrana fibrosa, stratum fibrosum, fibrous membrane. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fibrous capsule | Any fibrous envelope of a part. The fibrous capsule of an organ. Synonym: stratum fibrosum, tunica fibrosa, capsula fibrosa. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fibrous capsule of kidney | A fibrous membrane ensheathing the kidney. Synonym: capsula fibrosa renis, tunica fibrosa renis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fibrous capsule of liver | A layer of connective tissue ensheathing the hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile ducts as these ramify within the liver. Synonym: capsula fibrosa perivascularis, perivascular fibrous capsule. Connective tissue capsule surrounding the outer surface of the liver, but continuous with septae of some animals which divide parenchyme into lobule, and with the perivascular fibrous capsule at the porta hepatis. Synonym: tunica fibrosa hepatis, Glisson's capsule. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fibrous capsule of parotid gland | The part of the investing cervical fascia that ensheaths the parotid gland and is fixed above to the zygomatic arch. Synonym: fascia parotidea, fibrous capsule of parotid gland, parotid sheath. (05 Mar 2000) |