Chapter 12 - Thalamus

Question 1

Functions as an important relay and integrative station for information passing to all areas of the cerebral cortex, basal nuclei, hypothalamus, & brainstem

Answer 1

Thalamus

Question 2

Thalamus positon

Answer 2

as an egg-shaped gray matter; sits on both sides of the third ventricle (#2)

Question 3

The diencephalon consists of the dorsal (1) and the ventral (2)

Answer 3

(1) thalamus
(2) hypothalamus

Question 4

The right and left thalamus is connected by the

Answer 4

interthalamic connection

Question 5

white matter thin layer covering the superior part of the thalamus

Answer 5

stratum zonale

Question 6

White matter covering the lateral surface of the thalamus

Answer 6

external medullary lamina

Question 7

Vertical sheet of white matter that divides the gray matter of the thalamus into medial and lateral halves;

what is its function?

Answer 7

internal medullary lamina

Function as nerve fibers that pass signals between multiple thalamic nucleus

Question 8

Nuclei present at the anterior part of the thalamus

Answer 8

anterior thalamic nuclei

Question 9

Function of the anterior thalamic nuclei

Answer 9

Receives signals from the mammillothalamic tract, cingulate gyrus, and hypothalamus

Mostly associated with the limbic system, emotional tone, and mechanisms of memory

Question 10

Nuclei present at the medial part of the thalamus

Answer 10

(1) a large dorsomedial nucleus
(2) several smaller nuclei

Question 11

Function of the dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus

Answer 11

Has connections with the prefrontal cortex, frontal lobe of the cerebral hemisphere, hypothalamus

Integrates sensory information (visceral, somatic, olfactory) and relates it to emotional feeling and subjective stress

Question 12

Nuclei present at the lateral part of the thalamus (Dorsal tier) & (Ventral tier)

Answer 12

(Dorsal Tier)
* lateral dorsal nucleus
* lateral posterior nucleus
* pulvinar

(Ventral Tier)
* ventral anterior nucleus
* ventral lateral nucleus
* ventral posterior nucleus (ventral posteromedial nucleus and ventral posterolateral nucleus)

Question 13

Has connections to the reticular formation, the substantia nigra, the corpus striatum, and premotor cortex as well as to thalamic nuclei

Influence motor cortex

Answer 13

Ventral anterior nucleus

Question 14

Major input from the cerebellum and minor input from the red nucleus

Influences motor activity

Answer 14

Ventral lateral nucleus

Question 15

Receives ascending trigeminal and gustatory pathways

Answer 15

Ventral posteromedial nucleus

Question 16

Receives the important ascending sensory tracts - the medial and spinal lemnisci

Answer 16

Ventral posterolateral nucleus

Question 17

Afferent Neural Loop:
Mammillothalamic tract, cingulate gyrus, hypothalamus

Efferent Neural Loop:
Cingulate gyrus, hypothalamus

Function:
Limbic system - emotional tone and mechanism of recent memory

Answer 17

Anterior (thalamic nucleus)

Question 18

Afferent Neural Loop:
prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, other thalamic nuclei

Efferent Neural Loop:
prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, other thalamic nuclei

Function:
Integration of somatic, visceral, and olfactory sensory to relate to emotional feelings and subjective stress states

Answer 18

dorsomedial (thalamic nucleus)

Question 19

Afferent Neural Loop:
Cerebral cortex, other thalamic nuclei

Efferent Neural Loop:
Cerebral cortex, other…

Function:
Unknown

Answer 19

Lateral dorsal, lateral posterior, pulvinar

Question 20

Afferent Neural Loop:
Reticular formation, substantia nigra, corpus striatum, premotor cortex, other…

Efferent Neural Loop:
Reticular formation, substantia nigra, corpus striatum, premotor cortex, other thalamic nuclei

Function:
Influences activity of motor cortex

Answer 20

Ventral anterior

Question 21

Afferent Neural Loop & Efferent Neural Loop:
as in ventral anterior nucleus but also major input from cerebellum and minor from red nucleus

Function:
Influences motor activity of the motor cortex

Answer 21

Ventral lateral

Question 22

Afferent Neural Loop:
trigeminal lemniscus, gustatory fibers

Efferent Neural Loop:
Primary somatic sensory (areas 3, 1, and 2) cortex

Function:
Relays common sensations to consciousness

Answer 22

Ventral posteromedial (VPM)

Question 23

Afferent Neural Loop:
Medial and spinal lemnisci

Efferent Neural Loop:
Primary somatic sensory (areas 3, 1, and 2) cortex

Function:
Relays common sensations to consciousness

Answer 23

Ventral posterolateral (VPL)

Question 24

Afferent Neural Loop:
Reticular formation, spinothalamic and trigeminothalamic tracts

Efferent Neural Loop:
Cerebral cortex via other thalamic nuclei, corpus striatum

Function:
Influences levels of consciousness and alertness

Answer 24

Intralaminar

Question 25

Afferent Neural Loop:
Reticular formation

Efferent Neural Loop:
Unknown

Function:
Unknown

Answer 25

Midline

Question 26

Afferent Neural Loop:
Cerebral cortex, reticular formation

Efferent Neural Loop:
Other thalamic nuclei

Function:
Cerebral cortex regulates thalamus

Answer 26

Reticular

Question 27

Afferent Neural Loop:
Inferior colliculus, lateral lemniscus from both ears but predominantly the contralateral ear

Efferent Neural Loop:
Auditory radiation to superior temporal gyrus

Function:
Hearing

Answer 27

Medial geniculate body

Question 28

Afferent Neural Loop:
Optic tract

Efferent Neural Loop:
Optic radiation to visual cortex of occipital lobe

Function:
Visual information from opposite field of vision

Answer 28

Lateral geniculate body

Question 29

(True/False)

The Thalamus is made up of complicated collections of nerve cells that are centrally placed in the brain and are interconnected

Answer 29

True

Question 30

(True/False)

All sensory information converges on the thalamus and presumably is integrated through the interconnections between thalamus nuclei

Answer 30

False

Vast amount of different types are integrated in the thalamus except for olfactory (smell) information which is first integrated at a lower level with taste and other sensations and is relayed to the thalamus from the amygdaloid complex and hippocampus through the mammillothalamic tract

Question 31

Nuclei associated with the personality of the individual

Answer 31

Dorsomedial nucleus

Question 32

Thalamic Nuclei: Its Connections and Functions

Memorize

Answer 32

Question 33

Main Connections of the Thalamus

Memorize

Answer 33