Thalamus

 INTRODUCTION
 Thalamus is a large ovoid mass of gray matter, situated
 bilaterally in diencephalon. Both thalami form 80% of
 diencephalon. Thalami on both sides are connected in
 their rostral portions by means of an intermediate mass.
 Caudal portions are more widely separated by corpora
 quadrigemina.
 THALAMIC NUCLEI
Thalamic nuclei are classified by two methods:
 A. Anatomical classification
 B. Physiological classification.
ANATOMICAL CLASSIFICATION:
 1. Midline nuclei
 2. Intralaminar nuclei
 3. Medial mass of nuclei
 4. Lateral mass of nuclei
 5. Posterior group of nuclei.
PHYSIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION

 Bondok classification

1. Specific sensory relay nuclei

2. Specific motor nuclei
3. Association or less specific nuclei
4. Non-specific nuclei
5. Limbic system nuclei.
CONNECTIONS OF THALAMIC NUCLEI

 THALAMIC RADIATIONS:
 thalamic peduncles or thalamic stalks:
1. Anterior (frontal) thalamic peduncle or radiation
2. Superior (centroparietal) thalamic peduncle or radiation
3. Posterior (occipital) thalamic peduncle or radiation
4. Inferior (temporal) thalamic peduncle or radiation.
FUNCTIONS OF THALAMUS

 1. RELAY CENTER
 2. CENTER FOR PROCESSING OF SENSORY INFORMATION:Functional
Gateway for Cerebral Cortex
 3. CENTER FOR DETERMINING QUALITY OF SENSATIONS: Thalamus is also
the center for determining the quality of sensations
 4. CENTER FOR SEXUAL SENSATIONS
 5. ROLE IN AROUSAL AND ALERTNESS REACTIONS
 6. CENTER FOR REFLEX ACTIVITY
 7. CENTER FOR INTEGRATION OF MOTOR ACTIVITY
APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY

 THALAMIC LESION
Thalamic lesion occurs mainly because of blockage(due to thrombosis) in
thalamogeniculate branch of posterior cerebral artery.
THALAMIC SYNDROME

 1. Loss of Sensations
 2. Astereognosis
 3. Ataxia
 4. Thalamic Phantom Limb
 5. Anosognosia
 6. Spontaneous Pain and Thalamic Over-reaction
 7. Involuntary Movements Thalamic syndrome is always associated with some
involuntary motor movements.
1-Athetosis Athetosis means slow writhing and twisting movements.
2-Chorea Chorea means quick, jerky, involuntary movements.
3-Intention tremor : Tremor is defined as rapid alternate rhythmic an involuntary movement of
flexion and extension in the joints of fingers and wrist or elbow.
 8. Thalamic Hand or Athetoid Hand Athetoid hand is the abnormal attitude of hand
in thalamic lesion. It is characterized by moderate flexion at wrist and
hyperextension of all fingers.
 Internal Capsule
 DEFINITION
Internal capsule is the broad and compact band of afferent and efferent fibers
connecting cerebral cortex with brainstem and spinal cord.
 SITUATION
Internal capsule is situated in between thalamus and caudate nucleus on the medial
side and lenticular nucleus on the lateral side.
 DIVISIONS
Internal capsule has two limbs, the anterior and posterior limbs. In between these two
limbs, lies the genu of internal capsule.
 ANTERIOR LIMB
Anterior limb of internal capsule is short and lies between lenticular and caudate
nuclei.
 POSTERIOR LIMB
Posterior limb is long and situated between thalamus and lenticular nucleus.
 GENU
Genu is situated between the anterior and the posterior limbs.
 CAUDAL PORTION
Caudal portion is otherwise known as retrolenticular portion of internal capsule.
APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY – EFFECT OF
LESIONS OF INTERNAL CAPSULE
 IN ANTERIOR LIMB
Anterior limb contains thalamocortical and frontopontine fibers. Lesion in this limb
causes widespread disability in the body. Both motor and sensory functions are lost.
 IN POSTERIOR LIMB
Lesion in posterior limb affects the sensory fibers (thalamocortical fibers). So, it
causes:
1. Contralateral hemianesthesia (loss of sensation in opposite side of the body)
2. Contralateral hemihyperesthesia (abnormal sensation in opposite side of the body)
3. Hemiplegia (paralysis of upper and lower limbs in one side of the body).
Hemianesthesia and hemiparesthesia occur because of lesion of superior thalamic
radiation. Hemiplegia is due to injury of corticospinal tracts.
 IN GENU
Lesion in genu causes alteration in motor activities in opposite side due to damage of
corticobulbar fibers.
 IN CAUDAL PORTION
Lesion in this portion of internal capsule causes contralateral hemianesthesia. It also
produces hemianopia and deafness, because of the involvement of the auditory and
visual fibers.