Thalamus

Question 1

Anterior nucleus

Answer 1

Inputs: mammillary bodies and hippocampus
Outputs: Cingulate gyrus
Important for memory, emotion, and visceral responses.

Question 2

Mediodorsal nucleus

Answer 2

Inputs: olfactory cortex and spinothalamic tract
Outputs: Olfactory / taste inputs go to insular cortex. Other outputs go to dlPFC for working memory, orbitofrontal cortex for decision making, and vmPFC for emotional tone.

Question 3

Lateral dorsal nucleus

Answer 3

Inputs: Limbic system
Outputs: Cingulate gyrus

Question 4

Lateral posterior & Pulvinar nuclei

Answer 4

Inputs: superior colliculus, pretectum, retina, and somatosensory cortex
Outputs: association cortex
Important for visual responsiveness / attentiveness and orientation.
Damage causes hemineglect

Question 5

Ventral lateral (VL) nucleus

Answer 5

Inputs: cerebellum
Outputs: Primary and association motor cortex

Question 6

Ventral anterior (VA) nucleus

Answer 6

Inputs: globus pallidus and substantia nigra
Outputs: Primary and association motor cortex

Question 7

VPL

Answer 7

Inputs: medial lemniscus and ALS
Outputs: somatosensory cortex

Question 8

VPM

Answer 8

Inputs: TTT and STT
Outputs: somatosensory cortex and taste goes to insular cortex

Question 9

Medial geniculate nucleus

Answer 9

Inputs: inferior colliculus
Outputs: auditory cortex and amygdala

Question 10

Lateral geniculate nucleus

Answer 10

Inputs: retinal ganglion cells
Outputs: visual cortex and amygdala

Question 11

Intralaminar / centromedian nucleus

Answer 11

Inputs: globus pallidus, substantia nigra, spinal tracts and reticular formation.
Outputs: motor cortex and striatum
Important for sensation, motor, and arousal