The orbitofrontal cortex is the prefrontal cortex on the underside of the frontal lobes, above the orbits, made up of the orbital gyri and gyrus rectus. It receives smell, taste, vision and body signals together with emotional input from the amygdala. It assigns value to rewards and guides choices.
| Location | Inferior surface of the frontal lobes, above the orbital roofs |
|---|---|
| Parts |
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| Connections |
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| Blood Supply | Anterior cerebral artery (medial orbitofrontal branch); Middle cerebral artery (lateral orbitofrontal branch) |
Evaluates rewards and punishments, links sensory experiences with their value and adjusts behaviour when outcomes change.
Damage, often from trauma or tumours of the anterior skull base, causes disinhibition, impulsivity, poor social judgement and difficulty learning from mistakes, with intelligence largely preserved. Altered orbitofrontal activity is seen in obsessive compulsive disorder and addiction. Loss of smell may accompany orbitofrontal injury because of nearby olfactory structures.
Disinhibition, impulsivity and socially inappropriate behaviour after orbitofrontal damage.
A condition linked to overactivity of orbitofrontal and striatal circuits.
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