chapter 16 Flashcards
1. Which of the following thalamic nuclei has a motor function? (A) Lateral dorsal nucleus (B) Mediodorsal nucleus (C) Ventral lateral nucleus (D) Ventral posterior nucleus (E) Lateral posterior nucleus
l-C
The ventral lateral nucleus receives motor input from the extrapyramidal (striatal) motor system (globus pallidus and substantia nigra) and from the cerebellum (dentate nucleus).
2. Spinothalamic fibers project to which of the following thalamic nuclei? (A) Ventral posteromedial (VPM) nucleus (B) Pulvinar (C) Ventral anterior nucleus (D) Ventral posterolateral (VPL) nucleus (E) Anterior nucleus
2-D.
Spinothalamic fibers project to the ventral posterolateral (VPL) nucleus, which receives the medial lemniscus
3. Cerebellar fibers project to which of the following thalamic nuclei? (A) Ventral posteromedial (VPM) nucleus (B) Lateral dorsal nucleus (C) Lateral posterior nucleus (D) Ventral lateral nucleus (E) Anterior nucleus
3-D. Cerebellar fibers (dentatocerebellar) project to the ventral lateral and ventral posterolateral (VPL) nuclei, which project to the motor cortex (area 4).
- The globus pallidus projects to which set of thalamic nuclei?
(A) Centromedian, ventral anterior, and ventral lateral nuclei
(B) Ventral anterior, ventral lateral, and anterior nuclei
(C) Ventral lateral, lateral dorsal, and lateral posterior nuclei
(D) Mediodorsal, ventral posterolateral (VPL), and ventral posteromedial (VPM) nuclei
(E) Centromedian, lateral dorsal, and lateral ventral nuclei
4-A.
The globus pallidus, a nucleus of the extrapyramidal (striatal) motor system, projects to three thalamic nuclei: the centromedian, the ventral anterior, and the ventral lateral nuclei of the thalamus.
5. The thalamus receives precortical sensory input from all of the following modalities EXCEPT (A) general somatic sense (B) gustation (C) vision (D) audition (E) olfaction
5-E.
The thalamus receives precortical input from all sensory systems except the olfactory system. The olfactory pathway reaches the primary olfactory cortex (prepiriform and periamygdaloid cortex) without a relay in the thalamus.
- All of the following statements concerning the mediodorsal nucleus are correct EXCEPT
(A) it receives input from the amygdaloid nucleus
(B) it receives input from the intralaminar
nuclei
(C) it is part of the limbic system
(D) it is part of the extrapyramidal motor system
(E) it has reciprocal connections with the prefrontal cortex
6-D.
The mediodorsal nucleus plays an important role in the expression of affect, emotion, and
behavior. It is a limbic structure and is not a part of the extrapyramidal motor system.
- All of the following statements concerning the lateral geniculate body (LGB) are correct EXCEPT
(A) it projects to the lingual gyrus
(B) it projects to the cuneus
(C) it receives input from the retina
(D) it receives input from the lateral lemniscus
(E) it receives its blood supply from the anterior choroidal artery
7-D.
The lateral geniculate body (LGB) receives input from the retina and projects to the visual cortex (lingual gyrus and cuneus). It is irrigated by the anterior choroidal artery and the posterior cerebral artery (thalamogeniculate arteries). The lateral lemniscus is an auditory pathway.
- All of the following statements concerning the pulvinar are correct EXCEPT
(A) it is the largest nucleus of the thalamus
(B) it receives input from the visual association cortex
(C) it receives input from the superior colliculus
(D) it has reciprocal connections with the
parietal association cortex
(E) a lesion results in a contralateral hemianopia
8-E.
The pulvinar, the largest nucleus of the thalamus, is a dorsal tier nucleus and has reciprocal connections with the visual association cortex (areas 18 and 19). The pulvinar is reciprocally connected with the parietal association cortex (areas 39 and 40). It also receives input from the superior colliculus and the pretectal area. Destruction of the pulvinar does not result in a visualfield deficit (hemianopia).
- Infarction of the right internal capsule
could result in all of the following defects EXCEPT
(A) left hypesthesia
(B) right homonymous hemianopia
(C) left facial weakness
(D) tongue deviates to left side
(E) plantar reflex extensor on left side
9-B.
Infarction of the right internal capsule could result in a left homonymous hemianopia.
10. A capsular stroke is most commonly caused by occlusion of which of the following arteries? (A) Anterior cerebral artery (B) Recurrent artery of Heubner (C) Lateral striate arteries (D) Posterior communicating artery (E) Direct branches of the internal carotid artery
10-C.
A capsular stroke is most commonly caused by occlusion of the lateral striate branches of
the middle cerebral artery.
Questions 11-16
The response options for items 11-16 are the same. You will be required to select one answer for each item in the set.
(A) Anterior nucleus
(B) Centromedian nucleus
(C) Lateral geniculate nucleus
(D) Mediodorsal nucleus
(E) Pulvinar
(F) Ventral anterior nucleus
(G) Ventral lateral nucleus
(H) Ventral posterolateral (VPL) nucleus
(I) Ventral posteromedial (VPM) nucleus
Match each of the following descriptions with the appropriate thalamic nucleus.
11. Receives input from the ipsilateral central tegmental tract
12. Has reciprocal connections with the inferior parietal lobule
13. Receives input from the contralateral lateral spinothalamic tract
14. Projects to the putamen
15. Receives the dentatothalamic tract
16. Plays a role in the expression of affect,emotion, and behavior (limbic function)
11-I. The ventral posteromedial (VPM) nucleus receives taste input via the ipsilateral central
tegmental tract. The VPM nucleus receives sensory input from the head and oral cavity.
12-E. The pulvinar, the largest thalamic nucleus, has reciprocal connections with the inferior parietal lobule.
13-H. The ventral posterolateral (VPL) nucleus receives input from the contralateral lateral
spinothalamic tract.
14-B. The centromedian nucleus projects to the putamen; this thalamic nucleus also has reciprocal connections with the motor cortex.
15-G. The ventral lateral nucleus receives contralateral cerebellar input via the dentatothalamic tract
16-D. The mediodorsal nucleus plays a role in the expression of affect, emotion, and behavior (limbic function). It receives input from the amygdala and has reciprocal connections with the prefrontal cortex. Lesions of the mediodorsal nucleus are found in patients with the Korsakoff amnestic state.
Questions 17-21 The response options for items 17—21 are the same. You will be required to select one answer for each item in the set. (A) Anterior nucleus (B) Ventral lateral nucleus (C) Medial geniculate (nucleus) body (D) Ventral posteromedial (VPM) nucleus (E) Ventral posteroinferior (VPI) nucleus Match each pathway with the appropriate nucleus to which it gives input. 17. Brachium of the inferior colliculus 18. Thalamic fasciculus (H^) 19. Mamillothalamic tract 20. Dentatothalamic tract 21. Gustatory (taste) pathway
17-C. The medial geniculate body receives auditory input via the brachium of the inferior colliculus.
18-B. The ventral lateral nucleus receives input from the globus pallidus via the thalamic fas-
ciculus (Hj).
19-A. The anterior nucleus receives input from the mamillary nuclei via the mamillothalamic
tract. This is a major link in the Papez circuit.
20-B. The ventral lateral nucleus receives cerebellar input from the dentate nucleus via the dentatothalamic tract.
21-D. The ventral posteromedial (VPM) nucleus receives special visceral afferent (SVA; taste) fibers from the central tegmental tract.
