1. Medical Neuroscience Dr. Wiegand
Dorsal “Thalamus”
Medical Neuroscience
Dr. Wiegand

2. The Diencephalon

3. The Diencephalon Interthalamic adhesion Thalamus Epithalamus (Pineal &
Habenula)
Subthalamus
Hypothalamus
Pituitary

4. The “Dorsal” Thalamus
Sensory integration nucleus – gateway to the cerebral cortex
Afferents from both rostral and caudal central nervous system structures
Efferents primarily to cerebral cortex via four principal “radiations”
Associated with motor, sensory, limbic and vegetative functions

5. External medullary lamina Internal medullary lamina
3rd Ventricle
Anterior n. *
* Interthalamic adhesion
Internal medullary lamina
Reticular n.
Internal capsule
Lateral n.
Medial n.

7. General Organization medial nuclei anterior nuclei internal medullary
lateral nuclei
internal
medullary
lamina

8. dorsal tier
pulvinar
geniculate
bodies
ventral tier

9. Frontal Section intralaminar nuclei reticular nuclei 3rd Ventricle
external medullary
lamina
external medullary
lamina
internal medullary
lamina

10. Thalamic Nuclei Anterior Lateral Dorsal Tier Ventral Tier
lateral posterior
pulvinar
Ventral Tier
ventral anterior
ventral lateral
ventral posterior (VLP & VPM)
posterior nucleus

11. Thalamic Nuclei Medial Pulvinar Geniculate bodies Reticular
medial/medial dorsal
midline nuclei
Pulvinar
Geniculate bodies
Reticular
Intralaminar
centromedian
parafasciular

12. Specific Sensory Nuclei
afferent
nucleus
efferent
function
Dorsal Column & Anterolateral System
VPL
Postcentral Gyrus
Somesthesis
Trigeminal System
VPM
Inferior Colliculus
MGB
Temporal lobe
Hearing
Retina
LGB
Occipital lobe
Vision

13. Specific Cortical Relay Nuclei
afferent
nucleus
efferent
function
Cerebellum VL
Precentral Gyrus & Frontal cortex
Movement & Motor Planning
Globus Pallidus VA
Premotor Cortex
Motor Planning

14. Specific Association Nuclei
afferent
nucleus
efferent
function
Hypothalamus
Anterior
Cingulate
Limbic
Amygdala MD
Prefrontal Cortex
Hypothalamus & Cingulate LD
Emotions
Parietal lobe & Sup.Colliculus LP
Parietal Cortex
Sensory integration
Anterolateral System
Posterior
Insula, Cingulate and Association Cortices
Pain
Sup. Colliculus
Pulvinar
Temporal, Parietal and Occipital Lobes
Vision

15. Motor / Premotor Basal Ganglia & Reticular Formation
Non-Specific Nuclei
afferent
nucleus
efferent
function
Reticular Formation
Midline
Entire Cortex
Arousal/Limbic
Motor / Premotor Basal Ganglia & Reticular Formation
Intra-laminar
Striatum & Cortex
Motor Integration
Cortex & Brainstem
Reticular
Thalamus
Thalamic Modulation

16. Caudate Nucleus
Internal
Capsule
Lentiform Nuclei
Thalamus