Thalamus and Hypothalamus

Question 1

Thalamus and hypothalamus are part of …

Answer 1

Diencephalon

Question 2

Diencephalon consists of …

Answer 2

Thalamus and hypothalamus

Question 3

Function of the thalamus (3)

Answer 3

• Relay centre between the cerebral cortex and the rest of the CNS
• Integrates information
• Involved in virtually all functional systems

Question 4

Spot hypothalamus and thalamus in a sagittal section?

Answer 4

Thalamus big bit below posterior side of the lateral ventricles
Hypo is the tiny bit underneath thalamus which leads into the pituitary

Question 5

thalamus is split in two by…

Answer 5

3rd ventricle

Question 6

thalamus sits X to the lateral ventricles

Answer 6

ventral

Question 7

Describe the somatosensory pathway (of the fasciculus gracile and cuneate)

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Intralaminar nuclei projects to what part of the brain, give three structures found there

Answer 8

Medial temporal lobe structures:
Amygdala
Hippocampus
Basal ganglia

Question 9

Intralaminar nuclei NT? And so stimulatory or inhibitory?

Answer 9

Glutamate, stimulatory

Question 10

Loss of intralaminar nuclei is associated with what 2 diseases

Answer 10

Progressive supra nuclear palsy and Parkinsons

Question 11

Where is the intralaminar nuclei found

Answer 11

Thalamus

Question 12

How to spot the reticular nucleus?

Answer 12

Forms outer covering of thalamus

Question 13

Reticular nucleus NT? And so stimulatory or inhibitory?

Answer 13

GABAergic and so inhibitory

Question 14

Whats different about the reticular nucleus compared to other thalamic nuclei

Answer 14

Dont connect with distal regions but with other nuclei

Question 15

Which thalamic nucleus doesn’t connect with distal regions but with other nuclei

Answer 15

Reticular nucleus

Question 16

Function of reticular nucleus?

Answer 16

Modulates thalamic activity via negative feedback

Question 17

Where is the reticular nucleus found

Answer 17

Thalamus

Question 18

Where does the reticular formation project to

Answer 18

Forebrain ascending reticular activating system ARAS

Question 19

Where is the reticular formation involved in

Answer 19

Consciousness and arousal, increased activity means more awake

Question 20

What received inputs from the ARAS

Answer 20

Intralaminar and reticular nucleus

Question 21

Hypothalamus is divided in 2 by what

Answer 21

3rd ventricle

Question 22

Hypothalamus connection are [ipsilateral/contralateral]

Answer 22

Ispilateral largely

Question 23

what is the hypothalamus involved in

Answer 23

4F's
fighting
fleeing
feeding
fucking

Question 24

functions of the hypothalamus (3)

Answer 24

Connects with the ANS (has projection down the spinal cord, can control heart/kidney etc)
Connects with endocrine systems (pituitary gland)
Feeding behaviour

Question 25

Purpose of the suprachiasmatic nucleus?

Answer 25

internal body clock.

Question 26

How does the suprachiasmatic cells work for body clock and what cells feed info to it

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

suprachiasmatic nucleus projects to where which projects to where which projects to where which releases what to control sleep

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

What disease is associated with suprachiasmatic lesions?

Answer 28

Schizophrenia