Lesson 12: Thalamus

Question 1

Where is the internal medullary lamina located - mainly, rostrally and its stem?

Answer 1

Between the mediodorsal and lateral nuclei
Rostrally: surrounds anterior nucleus
Stem: intralaminar nuclei

Question 2

Dorsomedial nucleus -
Location
Input (4) 
output (2)
Function
Damage

Answer 2

Between the internal medullary lamina and the 3rd ventricle
Input: PFC, amygdala, substantia nigra, hypothalamus
Output: PFC, amygdala
Function: visceral info with affect, emotions, thoughts, decisions
Damage - lower threshold for rage, Korsakoff’s

Question 3

What is the role of the lateral nuclear complex? What three components does it have?

Answer 3

Lateral dorsal, lateral posterior, pulvinar
Lat Dors: visceral-sensory integration for behaviour
Lat post: integrating multiple sensory modalities
Pulvinar: language

Question 4

Ventral anterior nucleus
Location
Input
Output
Function

Answer 4

Location: anterior the ventrolateral, by the internal medullary lamina
Input: GP, substantia nigra
Output: 4, 6, SMA
Function: facilitation of voluntary movements

Question 5

Ventrolateral nucleus
Location
Input
Output
Function
Damage

Answer 5

Location: posterior the ventral anterior, lateral the dorsolateral
In: Dentate of cerebellum & globus pallidus
Out: Primary motor cortex
Function: coordination of voluntary motor functions
Damage: abnormal involuntary movements

Question 6

Ventro-postero-lateral nucleus
Location
Input
Output
Function

Answer 6

Location: Posterior the VL, inferior to the lateral posterior nucleus
Input: medial meniscus, spinothalamic tracts
Output: superior 2/3 of S1
Function: somatosensory sensation of neck/trunk/extremeties

Question 7

Ventro-postero-medial nucleus
Location
Input
Output
Function

Answer 7

Location: medial the VPL
Input: trigeminothalamic tracts
output: inf 1/3 of S1
Function: somatosensory from face/head

Question 8

Lateral Geniculate Body
Location
Input
Output
Function
Damage

Answer 8

Location: lateral posterior of pulvinar
Input: ipsilateral retina halves via optic tract (contralat vis field)
Output: B17
Function: visual info from contralat visual field
Damage: contralateral homonymous hemianopsia

Question 9

Medial Geniculate Body
Location
Input
Output
Function
Damage

Answer 9

Location: medial posterior of pulvinar
Input: inferior colliculus, lat lemniscus
Output: A1 & A2, via int. capsule
Function: relay bilateral auditory info
Damage: verbal processing & speech sound discrimination, bilateral attenuation

Question 10

Anterior nucleus
Location
Input
Output
Function
Damage

Answer 10

Location: anterior the internal medullary lamina
Input: mammillary bodies, hippocampus
Output: cingulate gyrus, hypothalamus
Function: mediates visceral and emotion info, memory
Damage: blood pressure, anxiety, emotional drive = changes

Question 11

What does the epithalamus contain, and what are its general roles?

Answer 11

Pineal gland

Stuff with sleep

Question 12

What happens with damage to the subthalamus?

Answer 12

Contralateral hemibalism - sudden involuntary movements that are forced and rapid

Question 13

What does the hypothalamus contain (2)?

Answer 13

Optic chiasm, mammillary bodies

Question 14

What are the symptoms of thalamic syndrome?

Answer 14

Increased/decreased thresholds for sensation of touch/pain/temp contralaterally

Question 15

What can occur with a lesion to the thalamus that concerns SLPs?

Answer 15

Dysarthria, anomia, reading & writing disorders