Entorhinal cortex EC
<p>Apr 14, 2011 11:49 AM
 
Entorhinal cortex = EC  located in the MTL = medial temp lobe.
functions as a hub in a widespread network of memory and navigation.
 
The <b>EC is the main interface btwn the HC and the neocorte</b>x. 
 
<b>The EC-HC system plays an impt role in  autobio/ declarative/ episodic memory</b>
<b>and in partic spatial memory including</b>
<b>memory formation, consolidation and optimization in sleep</b>.
 
 
see figure with the red patch ... excellent figure.
note:  just anteior (rostral) to the paraHC  (going toward the temp pole)
 
Inputs and Outputs:
The superficial layers - layers II and III - of EC project to the <a title="Dentate gyrus" href="/wiki/Dentate_gyrus">dentate gyrus</a> and <a title="Hippocampus" href="/wiki/Hippocampus">hippocampus</a>:
 Layer II projects primarily to <a title="Dentate gyrus" href="/wiki/Dentate_gyrus">dentate gyrus</a> and hippocampal region CA3;
 layer III projects primarily to hippocampal region CA1 and the <a title="Subiculum" href="/wiki/Subiculum">subiculum</a>. 
These layers receive input from other cortical areas,
 especially associational, <a title="Perirhinal cortex" href="/wiki/Perirhinal_cortex">perirhinal</a>, and <a title="Parahippocampal gyrus" href="/wiki/Parahippocampal_gyrus">parahippocampal</a> cortices, as well as <a title="Prefrontal cortex" href="/wiki/Prefrontal_cortex">prefrontal cortex</a>
. EC as a whole, therefore, receives highly-processed input from every sensory modality,
 as well as input relating to ongoing cognitive processes,
 though it should be stressed that, within EC, this information remains at least partially segregated.
The deep layers, especially layer V, receive one of the three main outputs of the <a title="Hippocampus" href="/wiki/Hippocampus">hippocampus</a> and, in turn, reciprocate connections from other cortical areas that project to superficial EC.
 </p>