Thalamic Nuclei

Question 1

Relay Group of Thalmic Nucleui

Answer 1

Direct connection to specific parts of the cerebral cortex
- VPL, VPM, M/L, VL, VA, A, MD

Question 2

VPL Thalmic Nucleus

Answer 2

• Aff: Post. & Lat. Funiculi
• Eff: Primary somatosensory Cortex (via post. limb of int. capsule)

Question 3

VPM Thalmic Nucleus

Answer 3

• Aff: Trigeminal & Gustatory Pathways
• Eff: Primary somatosensory cortex (via post. limb of int. capsule)

Question 4

Medial Geniculate Body Thalmic Nucleus

Answer 4

• Aff: Auditory pathway from Sup. Olive & Inf. Colliculus
• Eff: Auditory cortex

Question 5

Lateral Geniculate Body Thalmic Nucleus

Answer 5

• Aff: Visual info via Optic n.
• Eff: Primary visual cortex

Question 6

VL Thalmic Nucleus

Answer 6

• Aff: Cerebellum. & Basal ganglia
• Eff: Primary motor cortex

Question 7

VA Thalmic Nucleus

Answer 7

• Aff: Basal ganglia
• Eff: Premotor Cortex

Question 8

Anterior Thalmic Nucleus

Answer 8

• Aff: Mamillary body (via mamillothalamic tract)
• Eff: Cingulate Gyrus
  LIMBIC SYSTEM

Question 9

MD Thalmic Nucleus

Answer 9

• Aff: Amygdala & Olfactory cortex
• Eff: Prefrontal cortex & Limbic system
  PLANNING, THINKING

Question 10

Reticular Thalmic Nucleus

Answer 10

Projection circles back to the Thalamus itself, regulating thalamic activity (alertness / attention)
- Aff: Other thalamic nuclei (ARAS & cortex)
- Eff: Dorsal Nuclei

Question 11

Intralaminar Group of Thalmic Nuclei

Answer 11

Sends projections to cerebral cortex
- Central Medial Nucleus
- CM, Centromedian Nucleus

Question 12

Central Medial Thalmic Nucleus

Answer 12

• Aff: Cerebellum, ARAS, Int. Globus Pallidus
• Eff: Cerebral Cortex & Striatum
  (alertness, consciousness, awareness)

Question 13

CM Thalmic Nucleus

Answer 13

• Aff: Emboliform Nucleus
• Eff: Striatum
  (pain processing)