The habenula is part of the epithalamus and consists of 2 thin medullary bundles that connect the pineal gland with the Diencephalon.
Anatomy
Afferent connections
The habenula receives fibers via the Stria medullaris thalami from the septal nuclei, the Substantia perforata anteriorCorpus amygdaloideum
Efferent connections
The efferent pathways project to the Midbrain. The habenulotectal tract conveys olfactory impulses to the superior colliculi. The habenulotegmental tract terminates in the dorsal tegmental nucleus, where it connects with the dorsal longitudinal fasciculus, which has connections to the salivatory nuclei and the motor nuclei of the muscles involved in mastication and swallowing (olfactory stimuli trigger salivary and gastric juice secretion)[^1].
