Thalamus
The thalamus is a part of the brain. It is located in the center of the brain, beneath the cerebral hemispheres and next to the third ventricles. It is formed of grey matter and can be thought of as a relay station for nerve impulses in the brain.
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2 Function 3 Pathology 4 Related topic |
The thalami are dense internally ambiguous distinctively bulb-shaped regions that form on each side of the paleopalliar diencephalon that emerges from the mammallian prosencephalon. The surface and interior of the thalamus is largely made of nuclear groups that relate to specific functions in the cerebrum. Some thalamic nuclei have subcortical projections but most are classified as either relay nuclei or association nuclei.
Nuclear groups of the thalamus include:
Anatomy
Function
The thalamus relays signals from auditory, somatic, visceral and visual perceptory regions of the peripheral nervous system. Synaptic relays in the thalamus are the primary gateway for most sensory information entering the cerebral cortex.
Relay nuclei correspond via afferants and efferents between cortical areas related to specific functions and descending pathways. Association nuclei project exclusively to ascending pathways corresponding with association areas in the cortex.
Pathology
Cerebrovascular accidents or strokes can cause thalamic syndrome, which results in a burning or aching sensation on one half of a body, often accompanied by mood swings.