CA fields (CAF)
The term CA fields refers to a composite substructure of the hippocampal complex of the hippocampus defined on the basis of internal structure in the human ( Instausti-2012 ), macaque ( Paxinos-2009a ). rat ( Swanson-2004 ) and mouse ( Hof-2000 ). It has three parts: the CA1 field, CA2 field and CA3 field. The CA stands for Cornu ammonis, Latin for Ammon's horn, presumably so-named because bilateral dissection of the hippocampus of the human produces an object shaped like the horns of a sheep, joined at the front and curving laterally, posteriorly, ventrally and back toward the front. Some authors refer to the hilus of the dentate gyrus as a fourth CA4 field ( Carpenter-1983 Paxinos-2009a ).
The other two components of the hippocampal complex are the dentate gyrus and the subiculum ( Glasser-2016 ). In the human and macaque the CA fields are located between the dentate gyrus medially and the subiculum medial to the parahippocampal gyrus of the limbic lobe. In the rat and mouse they half-encircle the diencephalon of the upper brainstem topologically while histologically bounded dorsally by the very small fasciola cinerea and bounded ventrally by the subiculum. Posteriorly, beyond the brainstem and extending to the caudal pole of cerebral cortex, they topologically encircle the dentate gyrus while continuing to be bounded ventrally by the subiculum ( Swanson-2004 ). Updated 27 May 2024.
Also known as: hippocampus of Carpenter, Hippocampus of Nomina Anatomica, Hippocampus of Szabo, Ammon's horn, Cornu ammonis, hippocampus major, hippocampus proper, ammon horn, CA fields, Hippocampus proprius, hippocampus of Insausti
NeuroNames ID: 182





