Topographical anatomy of the septum verum and its white matter connections

Abstract

Abstract The human septum verum represents a small but clinically important region of the brain. Based on the results of animal experiments, the stimulation of its medial part was recently proposed with various indications like epilepsy or cognitive impairment after traumatic brain injury. The aim of our study was to present the anatomical relationships of the human septum verum using fiber dissection and histological analysis to support its research and provide essential information for future deep brain stimulation therapies. 16 human cadaveric brains were dissected according to Klingler’s method. To validate our macroscopical findings, 12 samples obtained from the dissected brains and 2 additional specimens from unfrozen brains were prepared for histological examinations. We identified the following white matter connections of the septum verum: (1) the precommissural fibers of the fornix; (2) the inferior fascicle of the septum pellucidum; (3) the cingulum; (4) the medial olfactory stria; (5) the ventral amygdalofugal pathway; (6) the stria medullaris of the thalamus and (7) the stria terminalis. Moreover, we could distinguish a less-known fiber bundle connecting the postcommissural column of the fornix to the stria medullaris of the thalamus and the anterior thalamic nuclei. In this study we present valuable anatomical information about this region to promote safe and effective deep brain stimulation therapies in the future.