Thalamus Flashcards
What is the main purpose of the thalamus?
Relay and integration station for information en route to the cortex
What are the major derivatives in the adult brain of the telencephalon?
What are the associated cavities in the mature brain?
- Cerebral hemispheres, including corpus striatum
- Lateral ventricle
What are the major derivatives in the adult brain of the diencephalon?
What are the associated cavities in the mature brain?
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus
- Third ventricle
What are the major derivatives in the adult brain of the mesencephalon?
What are the associated cavities in the mature brain?
- Midbrain
- Cerebral aqueduct
What are the major derivatives in the adult brain of the metencephalon?
What are the associated cavities in the mature brain?
- Pons
- Cerebellum
- Upper portion of fourth ventricle
What are the major derivatives in the adult brain of the myelencephalon?
What are the associated cavities in the mature brain?
- Medulla oblongata
- Lower portion of the fourth ventricle
Identify the structure indicated by the arrow
Pinneal gland
Identify the structure indicated by the arrow
Posterior commissure
Identify the structures indicated by the arrows
This section is too far anterior to include the thalamus
Identify the structure indicated by the arrow
This section is so far posterior that only a small part of the thalamus is present
Identify the structures indicated by the arrows
All nuclei of the thalamus send fibres to the cerebral cortex except one. Which nucleus is the exception?
What is its function?
Reticular nucleus
Inhibits other thalamuc nuclei - possible role in suppressing sensory input to the cortex in sleep.
Describe the reticular nucleus of the thalamus
- Thin sheet of grey matter on the lateral surface of the thalamus.
- Sends inhibitory fibres to all of the nuclei of the thalamus.
Identify the structure indicated by the arrow
Ventral anterior nucleus of the thalamus
Identify the structure indicated by the arrow
Lateral dorsal nucleus of the thalamus
Identify the structure indicated by the arrow
Ventral lateral nucleus of the thalamus