Forebrain Flashcards
List the basic functions of the thalamus
- filter and process afferent input from:
- basal ganglia (VA, VL)
- cerebellum (VL)
- all conscious sensory except olfaction
- send efferent output to cerebral cortex
List the type of sensory info that is processed by the thalamus and where it is processed/filtered.
- body somatosensation (VPL)
- head somatosensation (VPM)
- vision (lateral geniculate)
- auditory (medial geniculate)
- taste (VPM)
- balance (VPL)
the thalamus is functionally divided into 3 nuclei types. List them
- relay
- association
- nonspecific
what is the role of relay thalamic nuclei?
connect BG, cerebellum, and conscious sensory (except olfaction) to the cerebral cortex
relay thalamic nuclei can be subdivided by whether it is motor or sensory relays. List the portion of the thalamus that is responsible for each
- motor = VA, VL
- sensory = VPM, VPL, medial/lateral geniculate
what is the role of associative thalamic nuclei?
sensory, memory, emotion (limbic function) integration
what portions/parts of the thalamus are associative nuclei? Pair the location with it’s associative role
- declarative memory
- anterior nuclei
- lateral dorsal nuclei
- midline nuclei
- sensory integration
- lateral posterior
- pulvinar
- emotion
- medial group
what is the role of nonspecific thalamic nuclei?
regulate consciousness, arousal, attention
what portions of the thalamus are nonspecific nuclei?
interlaminar nuclei
reticular nuclei
**these modulate the signals of the other thalamic nuclei
what is the hypothalamus?
about a dozen nuclei located in the diencephalon
connected to the pituitary by infundibulum
**king of homeostasis
what are the functions of the hypothalamus
regulate homeostasis → subdivided into 2 categories:
- visceral regulation
- behavior regulation
What does the hypothalamus visceral (unconscious autonomic reflex) control include?
- reflex control for viscerosensory afferent and autonomic motor efferent
- endocrine control
- thermoregulation
what hypothalamic nuclei is responsible for reflex control of viscersensory afferent and autonomic motor efferent?
paraventricular nuclei
what brainstem nuclei coordinate with the paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus to control BP?
- viscerosensory afferent for BP = solitary nuclei
- autonomic motor efferent for BP:
- PNS = dorsal motor nuclei (decrease BP)
- SNS = ventrolateral medulla (increase BP)
the hypothalamus coordinates and controls what endocrine organ to influence endocrine function?
pituitary gland
what hypothalamic nuclei communicate with the posterior pituitary? What hormones do these nuclei release?
supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei
ADH = increase BP, fluid retention
Oxytocin = “feel good hormone”
what hypothalamic nuclei influence and control the release of hormones from the anterior pituitary?
arcuate nuclei
ventromedial nuclei
dorsomedial nuclei
tuberal nuclei
how do hypothalamic nuclei influence the release of hormones from the anterior pituitary?
the hypothalamic nuclei release tropins (+/- factors) that will either inhibit/stimulate the release of hormones from the anterior pituitary
what hypothalamic nuclei control/influence rhythmic endocrine control?
suprachiasmatic nucleus = circadian (time of year)
preoptic nucleus = diurnal (time of day)
what hypothalamic nuclei is responsible for thermoregulation?
preoptic nuclei
what does the process of thermoregulation involve?
- heat loss center
- heat conservation center
how does the heat loss center perform thermoregulation?
↑blood temp →hypothalamus thermosensory cells →cardiovascular & respiratory centers →vasodilation/perspiration & panting
how does the heat conservation center perform thermoregulation?
↓blood temp →hypothalamus thermosensory cells →brainstem control centers →vasoconstriction, ↑CO, ↑metabolism, piloerection, shivering
what behaviors are influenced by hypothalamic nuclei?
- drinking
- feeding
- sexual
- emotional
- sleep
- memory