Thalamus

Learning objectives
At the end of the lecture the student should be able to:
• Know the location of thalamus
• List the thalamic nuclei
• Know the connections of thalamus
• Understand the functions of thalamus
• Know the effects of thalamic lesion
• The forebrain subdivides to form
the telencephalon and
diencephalon. The telencephalon
gives rise to the cerebrum; the
diencephalon gives rise to the
thalamus and hypothalamus
• A large mass of gray matter deeply
situated in the forebrain. There is one
on either side of the midline. Sometimes
they are interconnected at the massa
intermedia.
• Axons from every sensory system
(except olfaction) synapse here as the
last relay site before the information
reaches the cerebral cortex
• There are other thalamic nuclei that
receive input from cerebellar-, basal
ganglia- and limbic-related brain
regions.
 Afferent connections
• Mammilary body of hypothalamus to anterior nucleus
• Basal ganglia to ventral anterior nucleus
• Cerebellum ( dentate nucleus) to ventral lateral nucleus
• Spinal lemniscus, medial lemniscus to postero ventral
lateral nucleus
• Trigeminal lemniscus to postero ventral medial nucleus
• Optic tract to lateral geniculate body
• Auditary tract to medial geniculate body
• Reticular formation to intrinsic and intra laminar nuclei
• Cortex to thalamic nuclei
 Efferent connections
Thalamo cortical tracts
Thalamus to sensory cortex
Thalamus to visual cortex
Thalamus to auditary cortex
Thalamus to cingulate gyrus
Thalamus to motor cortex
Thalamic diffuse projection from intrinsic
nuclei to cortex(ARAS)
Thalamo cortical Connections
Specific and Non specific
Functions of thalamus:
Sensory relay center
Center for pain
Regulates emotion and visceral functions
Participates in ARAS
Regulation of voluntary action
Cognition and consciousness
 Thalamic lesion
Effects of thalamic damage:

• Increased pain
• Astereognosis
• Ataxia
• Intention tremor
• Emotional disturbance
• Thalamic hand
 Points to remember….
• Thalamus is situated in the forebrain( diencephalon)
• It is an important sensory relay center
• The thalamic nuclei receive connections from
hypothalamus( emotion circuit), cerebellum, cerebral
cortex and basal ganglia
• The thalamus sends its connections to sensory
cortex, motor cortex , visual cortex and auditory
cortex.
• Thalamic functions include, sensory relay, center for
pain, control of voluntary action, control of emotion
and control of consciousness.
• Damage to thalamus causes, hyperalgesia, ataxia,
intention tremor, thalamic hand and emotional
disturbance