Thalamus & Hypothalamus Flashcards
List the divisions of the diencephalon
Thalamus
Subthalamus
Hypothalamus
Where does the thalamus sit?
Ventral to the lateral ventricles
Divided by the 3rd ventricle
How is the Thalamus organised?
Into discrete nuclei
List the functions of the thalamus
Relay site for numerous inputs/outputs
Key relay centre to cortical sensory areas
Involved in almost all sensory systems (except olfactory)
Enhances of restricts signals
Where do the intralaminar nuclei project to?
Various medial temporal lobe structures. (amygdala, hippocampus and basal ganglia)
What is the amygdala associated with?
Emotions, fear, anxiety
What is the hippocampus associated with?
Memory
What is the basal ganglia associated with?
Movement
Intralaminar are mostly ___ neurones
Glutamatergic (i.e. excitatory)
Loss of neurones in this (intralaminar nuclei) region is associated with…
Supranuclear palsy
Parkinson’s
What is the reticular nucleus?
It forms the outer covering of the thalamus
Majority of the neurones are GABAergic (e.g. inhibitory)
They connect with other thalamic nuclei
What is the function of the reticular nucleus?
Acts to modulate thalamic activity
What is the reticular formation?
A set of interconnected pathways in the brainstem
Involved in consciousness and arousal
How is the hypothalamus divided?
Divided in 2 by 3rd ventricle
Collection of individual nuclei with distinct functions
Largely ipsiateral connections with other nuclei
What is the hypothalamus involved in?
Fighting
Fleeing
Feeding
Fucking
