Thalamus and Hypothalamus Flashcards
Thalamus and hypothalamus are part of …
Diencephalon
Diencephalon consists of …
Thalamus and hypothalamus
Function of the thalamus (3)
- Relay centre between the cerebral cortex and the rest of the CNS
- Integrates information
- Involved in virtually all functional systems
Spot hypothalamus and thalamus in a sagittal section?
Thalamus big bit below posterior side of the lateral ventricles
Hypo is the tiny bit underneath thalamus which leads into the pituitary
thalamus is split in two by…
3rd ventricle
thalamus sits X to the lateral ventricles
ventral
Describe the somatosensory pathway (of the fasciculus gracile and cuneate)
Sensory input foes in through the dorsal horn of the spinal cord
up the dorsal column ipsilaterally
synapses in the medulla oblongata
crosses at the decussation
goes up to the thalamus where it synapses again
ends on the somatosensory cortex
Intralaminar nuclei projects to what part of the brain, give three structures found there
Medial temporal lobe structures:
Amygdala
Hippocampus
Basal ganglia
Intralaminar nuclei NT? And so stimulatory or inhibitory?
Glutamate, stimulatory
Loss of intralaminar nuclei is associated with what 2 diseases
Progressive supra nuclear palsy and Parkinsons
Where is the intralaminar nuclei found
Thalamus
How to spot the reticular nucleus?
Forms outer covering of thalamus
Reticular nucleus NT? And so stimulatory or inhibitory?
GABAergic and so inhibitory
Whats different about the reticular nucleus compared to other thalamic nuclei
Dont connect with distal regions but with other nuclei
Which thalamic nucleus doesn’t connect with distal regions but with other nuclei
Reticular nucleus
Function of reticular nucleus?
Modulates thalamic activity via negative feedback
Where is the reticular nucleus found
Thalamus
Where does the reticular formation project to
Forebrain ascending reticular activating system ARAS
Where is the reticular formation involved in
Consciousness and arousal, increased activity means more awake
What received inputs from the ARAS
Intralaminar and reticular nucleus
Hypothalamus is divided in 2 by what
3rd ventricle
Hypothalamus connection are [ipsilateral/contralateral]
Ispilateral largely
what is the hypothalamus involved in
4F's fighting fleeing feeding fucking
functions of the hypothalamus (3)
Connects with the ANS (has projection down the spinal cord, can control heart/kidney etc)
Connects with endocrine systems (pituitary gland)
Feeding behaviour
Purpose of the suprachiasmatic nucleus?
internal body clock.
How does the suprachiasmatic cells work for body clock and what cells feed info to it
Retinal ganglion cells in the eye have a tract to the suprachiasmatic nucleus and they are responsive to blue light, which is why we encourage to not use screens before bed.
suprachiasmatic nucleus projects to where which projects to where which projects to where which releases what to control sleep
Suprachiasmatic nucleus projects to the paraventricular nucleus which projects to the spinal cord which then projects back up to the pineal gland which releases melatonin and shit.
What disease is associated with suprachiasmatic lesions?
Schizophrenia
