Terminal stria

The stria terminalis (terminal stria) is a structure in the brain, being a band of fibers running along the lateral margin of the ventricular surface of the thalamus. Serving as a major output pathway of the amygdala, the stria terminalis runs from its corticomedial division to the ventral medial nucleus of the hypothalamus.

Anatomy
The stria terminalis covers the thalamostriate vein, marking a line of separation between the thalamus and the caudate nucleus as seen upon gross dissection of the ventricles of the brain, viewed from the superior aspect.

The stria terminalis extends from the region of the interventricular foramen to the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle, carrying fibers from the amygdala to the septal nuclei, hypothalamic, and thalamic areas of the brain. It also carries fibers projecting from these areas back to the amygdala.

Functions
It participates in anxiety and stress responses.

The stria terminalis also appears to be indicated in gender identification. Studies have shown that male-to-female transsexuals tend to have female-normative cell proliferation in the central subdivision of the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (BSTc), whereas female-to-male transsexuals tend to have male-normative BSTc cell proliferation. It is thought this is mediated by diminished and excessive androgen levels respectively in utero and neonatally.