Thalamus
In addition to sensory inputs, virtually all inputs ascending to the cerebral cortex funnel through thalamic nuclei
Ventral posterior lateral nucleus
–General somatic sensory receptors (touch, pain pressure)
Thalamus
Lateral geniculate body
–Visual relay from retina
Medial geniculate body
– Auditory inputs
Anterior nuclear group
–Regulation of emotion and visceral function
Ventral lateral nuclei
–Direct motor activity of cerebellum
Ventral anterior nuclei
–Direct motor activity of basal nuclei
Thalamus
Pulvinar, medial dorsal and lateral
nuclei are involved in the integration of
sensory information and projection to
specific association cortices
Thalamus
The thalamus plays a key role in mediating sensation, motor activities, cortical arousal, learning, and memory
It is truly the gateway to the cerebral cortex
The Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is located below the thalamus, capping the brain stem
Hypothalamus
Optic chiasma
Mammillary
bodies
Merging into the midbrain inferiorly, it extends from the optic chiasma to the posterior margin of the mammillary bodies
Mammillary Bodies
The mammillary bodies are paired nuclei that bulge anteriorly from the hypothalamus that serve as relay stations in the olfactory pathways
Hypothalamus
Between the optic chiasma and the mammillary bodies is the infundibulum
A stalk of the hypothalamic tissue connects the pituitary gland to the base of hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus contains about a dozen functionally important nuclei
Despite its small size, the hypothalamus is the main visceral control center of the body and is vitally important to overall body homeostasis
Autonomic Control Center
The hypothalamus regulates involuntary nervous activity by controlling the activity of autonomic centers in the brain stem and spinal cord
In this role the hypothalamus influences
–Blood pressure
–Rate and force of heart contraction
–Motility of the digestive system
–Respiratory rate and depth
–Secretion of sweat and salivary glands