Forebrain and Limbic System Flashcards
What is does the Diencephalon consist of?
The 4 thalamic structures!
- Epithalamus =
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus
- Subthalamus
What two stuctures make up the Epithalamus and what do they do?
- Pineal gland = Secretes melatonin, released during darkness, regulates sleep-wake cycles.
- Habenula = paired near base of pineal gland.
What is the major input and output for the Habenula?
Input = Stria medullaris, limbic input Output = Habenulointerpeduncular tract (Fasciculus retrofelxus) to midbrain RF.
_____ is the gateway to the cortex.
The thalamus
What pathways does the thalamus act as a relay for?
- All sensory except olfaction
- The cerebellum. basal ganglia, limbic system.
- These systems use different parts with some overlap so thalamus is composed of distinct nuclei.
What are the 6 subdivisons of thalamic nuclei?
- Anterior divison: Anterior Nucleus
- Medial division: Dorsomedial nucleus
- Lateral Divison:
- Dorsal tier = lateral dorsal, lateral posterior & pulvinar nuclei
- Ventral tier = ventral Anterior, Ventral Lateral, ventral Posterior, and medial & Lateral geniculates nuclei. - Intralaminar: Centromedian, parafasciular, and other nuclei.
- Reticular nucleus
- Midline nucleus
Which subdivision of the thalamus is the largest?
The Lateral subdivision
Subdivisions of the Thalamus are defined by ___________.
Internal medullary lamina (IML) “kinda like a membrane that separates divisions)
_______ sits in a split in the IML.
Anterior subdivision
All thalamic nuclei (except the reticular nucleus) are based on the same general theme…all consist of what?
- Projection neurons: provide output form thalamus
- Interneurons = small inhibitory.
- Projections vary from nucleus to nucleus.
What are the two types of thalamic inputs?
- Specific inputs
- Regulatory inputs
What is the function of the Specific inputs of the thalamus?
Conveys info a thalamic nucleus passes on nearly directly to the cortex (ex. medial leminisus to VPL or pic tract to LGN)
What is the function of the Regulatory Input of the thalamus?
Thalamic nucleus contributes to the info it receives before it is passed on to cortex.
Describe the function of the relay Nuclei…
Relay nuclei = receive well defined specific input from a subcortical source (Such as medial lemniscus) and projects to a well defined area of cortex (Such as spomatosensory cortex)
Describe the function of the Association Nuclei….
Receives specific inputs from association cortex (Like prefrontal cortex) and projects back.
Describe the function of the Intralaminar and midline Nuclei….
Receive distinct set of specific inputs (Basal ganglia, limbic structures)
*Project to cortex, basal ganglia and limbic system
What are the 3 specific types of thalamic nuclei?
Specific
Association
Intralaminar & midline
How is the reticular nucleus different from the other nuclei?
Its different because it has no projections to the cortex!
Its nucleus is a sheet of neurons that covers the thalamus. Axons must traverse nucleus to enter/leave thalamus and send collaterals to it.
What does the reticular nucleus do?
Important source of regulatory input to thalamus.
What are the main inputs and outputs of the Reticular nucleus?
Input = cortex & Thalamus Output = Inhibitory axons to thalamus
______, ________ & ______ have relay nuclei.
Sensory, Motor and Limbic systems
Motor system has what kind of relay nuclei?
VA & VL
Sensory system has what kind of relay nuclei?
VPL & VPM
Limbic system has what kind of relay nuclei?
Anterior & Lateral division
______ & _______ are main association Nuclei?
Dorsomedial & Pulvinar
*2 huge areas of association cortex.
DM is the association nuclei for _______ .
Prefrontal cortex (Foresight & affect)
Pulivinar-LP Complex is the association nuclei for ______, ______ & _______.
Parietal, occipital & temporal lobes of cortex.
Function unknown maybe visual?
Almost all fibers going to or from the cortex pass through the _______.
Internal capsule