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. 2003 Jul 9;23(14):6086–6095. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.23-14-06086.2003

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

A simplified diagram of the oscine song system. The song system consists of three major pathways. The nucleus interfacialis (NIf) likely provides key auditory input to the song system. The motor pathway starts with nucleus HVC (used as a proper name). HVC projects to the robust nucleus of archistriatum (RA), which innervates several brainstem nuclei controlling respiration and vocalization. The anterior forebrain pathway starts with the projection from HVC to area X, a part of the avian basal ganglia within the lobus parolfactorius (LPO). Area X projects to the medial portion of the dorsolateral nucleus of the anterior thalamus (DLM), which sends its output to the lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum (LMAN), which projects to RA and sends collaterals to area X. Area X thus receives glutamatergic inputs from HVC and LMAN. It also receives dense dopaminergic inputs from the ventral area of Tsai (AVT). The gray area represents the paleostriatal complex.