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Neuroanatomy > Thalamus > Flashcards

Thalamus Flashcards

1
Q

What is the main purpose of the thalamus?

A

Relay and integration station for information en route to the cortex

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2
Q

What are the major derivatives in the adult brain of the telencephalon?

What are the associated cavities in the mature brain?

A
  • Cerebral hemispheres, including corpus striatum
  • Lateral ventricle
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3
Q

What are the major derivatives in the adult brain of the diencephalon?

What are the associated cavities in the mature brain?

A
  • Thalamus
  • Hypothalamus
  • Third ventricle
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4
Q

What are the major derivatives in the adult brain of the mesencephalon?

What are the associated cavities in the mature brain?

A
  • Midbrain
  • Cerebral aqueduct
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5
Q

What are the major derivatives in the adult brain of the metencephalon?

What are the associated cavities in the mature brain?

A
  • Pons
  • Cerebellum
  • Upper portion of fourth ventricle
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6
Q

What are the major derivatives in the adult brain of the myelencephalon?

What are the associated cavities in the mature brain?

A
  • Medulla oblongata
  • Lower portion of the fourth ventricle
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7
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Pinneal gland

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8
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Posterior commissure

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9
Q

Identify the structures indicated by the arrows

A

This section is too far anterior to include the thalamus

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10
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

This section is so far posterior that only a small part of the thalamus is present

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11
Q

Identify the structures indicated by the arrows

A
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12
Q

All nuclei of the thalamus send fibres to the cerebral cortex except one. Which nucleus is the exception?

What is its function?

A

Reticular nucleus

Inhibits other thalamuc nuclei - possible role in suppressing sensory input to the cortex in sleep.

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13
Q

Describe the reticular nucleus of the thalamus

A
  • Thin sheet of grey matter on the lateral surface of the thalamus.
  • Sends inhibitory fibres to all of the nuclei of the thalamus.
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14
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Ventral anterior nucleus of the thalamus

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15
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Lateral dorsal nucleus of the thalamus

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16
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Ventral lateral nucleus of the thalamus

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17
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Lateral posterior nucleus of the thalamus

18
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Ventral posterior nucleus of the thalamus

19
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Pulvinar of the thalamus

20
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Medial geniculate body of the thalamus

21
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Lateral geniculate body of the thalamus

22
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Internal medullary lamina of the thalamus

23
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus

24
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Massa intermedia of the thalamus (also known as interthalamic adhesion)

25
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Anterior nucleus of the thalamus

26
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Centromedian nucleus of the thalamus

27
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Ventral posterior nucleus of the thalamus

28
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Parafasicular nucleus of the thalamus

29
Q

Identify the structure indicated by the arrow

A

Mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus

30
Q

Which thalamic nuclei are included in the intralaminar group?

What is this group responsible for?

A
  • Centromedian nucleus
  • Parafasicular nucleus
  • Arousal from sleep
  • Sensation of pain

Extensive connections to the cortex

31
Q

Which thalamic nuclei are included in the ventral group?

What is this group responsible for?

A
  • Ventral posterior nucleus - relay centre for somatosensation.
  • Ventral lateral nucleus - relay in cerebellar and basal ganglia circuits to the motor and premotor cortex.
  • Ventral anterior nucleus - same as ventral lateral ^
  • Lateral geniculate body - relay for vision
  • Medial geniculate body - relay for audition
32
Q

Which thalamic nuclei are included in the lateral group?

What is this group responsible for?

A
  • Pulvinar
  • Lateral dorsal nucleus
  • Lateral posterior nucleus
  • Extensive connections to the cortex. May be important for iInterpretation of visual stimuli, among other functions
33
Q

Which thalamic nuclei are included in the medial group?

What is this group responsible for?

A
  • Anterior nucleus - input to cingulate gyrus, part of circuit of papez and important in memory.
  • Mediodorsal nucleus - input to prefrontal cortex, involved in decisions based on predictions and memory.
34
Q

Which input does the ventroposteromedial nucleus of the thalamus send to the somatosensory cortex?

A

Sensory input from the head

35
Q

Which input does the ventroposterolateral nucleus of the thalamus send to the somatosensory cortex?

A

Sensory input from the body

36
Q

Which input does the lateral geniculate body have and to where?

A

Input from the optic nerves to the primary visual cortex

37
Q

Which input does the medial geniculate body have and to where?

A

Input from auditory system to the auditory cortex

38
Q

Which input goes from the thalamic nuclei to the motor cortex?

A
  • Ventrolateral nucleus sends input to the motor cortex from the cerebellum.
  • Ventroanterior nucleus sends input to the motor cortex from the basal ganglia.
39
Q

What is the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus responsible for?

A
  • Emotion and subjective responses
  • Integration with sensory information
  • Connects to:
    • Prefrontal gyrus
    • Hypothalamus
    • Other thalamic nuclei
  • Also receives output from these same regions
40
Q

What is the anterior nucles of the thalamus responsible for?

A
  • Memory
  • Instinctive behaviour
  • Connects with the limbic system - mainly via the cingulate gyrus and hypothalamus.
  • Also receives input from these regions
41
Q

What are the intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus responsible for?

A
  • Influences level of consciousness and alertness
  • Connects with several other thalamic nuclei and so projects widely to the cortex.
  • Receives input from the reticular formation and spinal sensory systems.
42
Q

What is the reticular nucleus of the thalamus?

A

Thin covering over the lateral part of the thalamus

Neuroanatomy (15 decks)

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