Thalamus & Prefrontal cortex

Introduction
• Thalamus in Greek “Inner chamber“.

• discovered 2nd Century AD, when Galen traced

the optic-nerve fibers to an oval mass closely
associated with the ventricles.

• integrates & processes all sensory impulses. All

sensory pathways (EXCEPTION – Olfactory
pathway) that proceeds to the cortex first relays
in the thalamus before reaching its destination.
Thalamic Nuclei