Neuroanatomy of the Thalamus

This section covers the peripheral sensory systems, pathways through the Thalamus and perception by sensory areas of the cerebral cortex.

Readings: BCN 1, 12, 13, & 14; Read the web sections that appear in the outline to the left.

Thalamus

Mass of neurons arranged into nuclei and pathways

The Nuclei Mediate Sensory Perception and Sensorimotor Coordination

Functional Classification of Nuclei
Afferent Pathways for all senses except smell
Somatomotor pathways for basal ganglia
Reticular formation pathways
limbic system pathways

Pathology of Thalamic Injury

Sensory loss syndromes

Lateralized impairments

Bilateral impairment & Dementia

Thalamus