intermediateanatomythalamusrelay
Thalamus
The brain's sensory relay station and consciousness gateway.
© Blausen Medical Communications · CC-BY
The thalamus receives sensory input (except olfaction) and relays it to the cortex. Specific nuclei project to specific cortical areas: LGN to visual cortex, MGN to auditory cortex, VPL/VPM to somatosensory cortex. The intralaminar nuclei contribute to arousal and consciousness. Thalamic strokes can cause devastating sensory loss and consciousness impairment.
Functions
Sensory relayConsciousness gatingAttentionSleep regulation
Related Disorders
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Diencephalon
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