What is thalamus function?

The thalamus is a mostly gray matter structure of the diencephalon that has many essential roles in human physiology. The thalamus is composed of different nuclei that each serve a unique role, ranging from relaying sensory and motor signals, as well as regulation of consciousness and alertness.

What are the structures of thalamus?

The thalami are made up of grey matter that is partitioned by a “Y” shaped white matter structure known as the internal medullary lamina. As a result of the location of the internal medullary lamina, each thalamus is divided into roughly three main parts: the anterior, medial and lateral thalamus.

What is the blood supply to thalamus?

The thalamus derives its blood supply from a number of arteries: the polar artery (posterior communicating artery), paramedian thalamic-subthalamic arteries, inferolateral (thalamogeniculate) arteries, and posterior (medial and lateral) choroidal arteries. These are all branches of the posterior cerebral artery.

What does the thalamus do simple explanation?

The thalamus relays sensory impulses from receptors in various parts of the body to the cerebral cortex. A sensory impulse travels from the body surface towards the thalamus, which receives it as a sensation. This sensation is then passed onto the cerebral cortex for interpretation as touch, pain or temperature.

How does the thalamus help us to see?

In the visual system, the thalamus receives input from the retina , which is relayed to the brain via the optic nerve. Signals are sent to the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus which then forwards them onto the primary visual cortex (area V1) in the occipital lobe.

What is the purpose of the thalamus?

Thalamus functions as an important relay and integrative station for sensory signals and motor information passing to all areas of the cerebral cortex, the basal ganglia, the hypothalamus , and the brainstem. It also regulates consciousness, sleep and alertness.

What is the difference between the thalamus and hypothalamus?

Thalamus and hypothalamus are both names of structures in the brain. While the hypothalamus is cone-shaped, the thalamus consists of two connected lobes, one located in each hemisphere. The hypothalamus regulates the body’s vital metabolic processes, affecting temperature, blood pressure, hunger, thirst and sleep.

What is the role of the thalamus?

The thalamus (from Greek θάλαμος, “chamber”) is a large mass of gray matter in the dorsal part of the diencephalon of the brain with several functions such as relaying of sensory signals, including motor signals, to the cerebral cortex, and the regulation of consciousness, sleep, and alertness.