[The lateral septal nucleus: its morphological and functional organization and its role in the formation of chronorhythms]

Abstract

The lateral septal nucleus (LSN) is the largest septal nucleus and occupies one of the most strategically important positions in the forebrain, connecting the structures of the limbic system with different sites of the brain stem. Such a situation obliges LSN not only to participate in the regulation, but also to implement overall coordination and modulation of various visceral and somatic functions. The review deals with the general characteristic of the septal complex, the functional morphology, pre- and postnatal ontogenesis, afferent and efferent connections, mediator and modulator nature of LSN fibers. Special attention is paid to the participation of LSN in the neuroendocrine regulation of the sexual system. On the basis of literature and our own experimental findings it is shown that the LSN is a chronoregulatory structure which is responsible for the biorhythmologic organization of the functions of the mammalian organism.