Thalamus

Question 1

What embryonic structure is the thalamus derived form?

Answer 1

Diencephalon

Question 2

What makes up the epithalamus and brief function of each?

Answer 2

habenular nucleus (limbic), pineal gland (melatonin) post. commissure (connect pretectal and other nuclei bilat)

Question 3

What divides the thalamus into anterior, lateral, and medial groups?

Answer 3

internal medullary lamina

Question 4

What is the narrow band of laminated fibers that lie lateral to the thalamus called?

Answer 4

external medullary lamina

Question 5

What makes up the ventral thalamus?

Answer 5

reticular nucleus and ventral LGN

Question 6

What lies between the external medullary lamina and the internal capsule?

Answer 6

reticular nucleus of the thalamus (part of ventral thalamus)

Question 7

What makes up the subthalamus and what is its function?

Answer 7

zona incerta and subthalamic nucleus involved in basal ganglia and extrapyramidal functions

Question 8

4 parts of the hypothalamus

Answer 8

1. Hypothalamic Nuclei
2. Infundibulum (stalk)
3. Hypophysis (pituitary)
4. Hypophyseal portal system

Question 9

Functions of the thalamus

Answer 9

1. Sensory relay to the cortex
2. Motor activities
3. Sensory integration
4. Emotional/affective info
5. Papez circuit (limbic)
6. Alertness, arrousal, sleep
7. direct cortical feedback

Question 10

Thalamic syndrome is generally caused by a lesion or tumor of which nuclei?

Answer 10

VPL

Question 11

What are the sx of thalamic syndrome?

Answer 11

1. Transitory contralateral hemianalgesia
2. Painful sensation contralateral
3. Later, pain by pressure, touch, vibration
4. Eventual dysesthesia (unproved pain)

pain threshold is often raised but once overcome pain has strong emotional overtones

Question 12

Afferent/Efferent/Function of anterior nucleus of the thalamus?

Answer 12

mamillary body/ cingulate gyrus/ limbic (Papez)

Question 13

Afferent/Efferent/Function of VA?

Answer 13

globus pallidus/ premotor cortex (6)/ motor fxn

Question 14

Afferent/Efferent/Function of VL?

Answer 14

dentate nucleus of cerebllem/ motor and premotor cortex 4/6)/ motor fxn

Question 15

Afferent/Efferent/Function of VPL?

Answer 15

dorsal medial lemniscus/ somatosensory (3,1,2)/ somatic sensation of the body

Question 16

Afferent/Efferent/Function of VPM

Answer 16

trigeminal/ somatosensory (3,1,2)/ somatic sensation of the face

Question 17

Afferent/Efferent/Function of LGN?

Answer 17

retinal ganglion cells/ visual cortex (17) / vision

Question 18

Afferent/Efferent/Function of MGN?

Answer 18

inferior colliculus/ auditory cortex (41/42)/ audition

Question 19

Afferent/Efferent/Function of LD?

Answer 19

cingulate to cingulate for emotion expression

Question 20

Afferent/Efferent/Function of LP?

Answer 20

parietal to parietal for sensory integration

Question 21

Afferent/Efferent/Function of Pulvinar Nucleus?

Answer 21

sup. colliculus, parietal,occiptal, temporal lobe/ POT cortex for sensory integration

Question 22

Afferent/Efferent/Function of MD?

Answer 22

amygdala/ prefrontal cortex/ limbic

Question 23

Midline Nuclei afferent/efferent/ function?

Answer 23

reticular formation and hypothalamus to basal forebrain for limbic function

Question 24

intralaminar nuclei afferent/efferent/function? CM, CL, PF

Answer 24

reticular formation, spinothalamic tract, globus pallidus and cortical areas TO basal ganglia and cortex –plays a role in pain and sleep/wakefullness

Question 25

reticular nucleus afferent/efferent/function?

Answer 25

cortex, thalamus, brain stem RF to thalamic nuclei– modulates thalamic activity