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Thalamus

Thalamus (derived from a Greek word meaning “chamber”) is a walnut sized & shaped part of the brain situated between the cerebral cortex and the midbrain (other brain structures). It is present in the midline and is composed of two halves.

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Thalamus


ANATOMICAL FEATURES

Thalamus is present in the center of the brain, on top of the brainstem. The two halves of the thalamus are connected with each other through the interthalamic adhesion. It is also connected to other regions of the brain, especially the cerebral cortex, via many nerve fibers projecting out of the thalamus.

 

BLOOD SUPPLY

Thalamus is supplied by many branches of the posterior cerebral artery including the polar artery, inferolateral artery and posterior cerebral artery.

 

FUNCTIONS

Thalamus performs a vast array of functions. It is considered to be a sensory relay as almost all the sensory information passes through the thalamus first and then is relayed to other regions of the brain. Some of the functions of the thalamus are given below:

 

  • Vision

Thalamus receives visual signals from the retina. These signals are then passed on to the visual cortex in the occipital lobe of the brain via the optic nerve. Thalamus also processes some of this visual information during its passage through the thalamus.

 

  • Hearing

Thalamus also relays auditory (hearing) signals from the midbrain to the primary auditory cortex.

 

  • Touch

One of the nucleus (aggregation of neuronal cell body) of the thalamus relays the sense of touch from various parts of the body to the primary somatosensory area in the cerebral cortex.

  • Sleep

Thalamus has a strong connection with the cerebral cortex and forms a very important circuit (thalamo-cortico-thalamic circuit). This circuit controls wakefulness and alertness of the mind. It helps in arousal from sleep. Thalamic damage may in turn produce coma.

 

ASSOCIATED PATHOLOGY

As thalamus has important connections with other parts of the brain, the disease of this area has profound effects on the body.

 

  • Loss of sensation

The decrease in blood supply to the thalamus produces thalamic lesions. This causes a decrease in the perception of various sensations including light touch.

 

  • Thalamic pain

Thalamic infarction (death of tissue due to decreased blood supply) may cause pain in the opposite side of the body. The pain may begin even with the slightest of touch. The pain is of burning or aching type.

 

  • Insomnia

As thalamus is involved in wakefulness, damage to it has a direct effect on sleep. A degenerative disorder of the thalamus, called the fatal familial insomnia, deprives the patient of sleep. This gradual loss of sleep is very disturbing for the patient and may even lead to death.

 



ANATOMICAL FEATURES

Thalamus is present in the center of the brain, on top of the brainstem. The two halves of the thalamus are connected with each other through the interthalamic adhesion. It is also connected to other regions of the brain, especially the cerebral cortex, via many nerve fibers projecting out of the thalamus.

 

BLOOD SUPPLY

Thalamus is supplied by many branches of the posterior cerebral artery including the polar artery, inferolateral artery and posterior cerebral artery.

 

FUNCTIONS

Thalamus performs a vast array of functions. It is considered to be a sensory relay as almost all the sensory information passes through the thalamus first and then is relayed to other regions of the brain. Some of the functions of the thalamus are given below:

 

  • Vision

Thalamus receives visual signals from the retina. These signals are then passed on to the visual cortex in the occipital lobe of the brain via the optic nerve. Thalamus also processes some of this visual information during its passage through the thalamus.

 

  • Hearing

Thalamus also relays auditory (hearing) signals from the midbrain to the primary auditory cortex.

 

  • Touch

One of the nucleus (aggregation of neuronal cell body) of the thalamus relays the sense of touch from various parts of the body to the primary somatosensory area in the cerebral cortex.

  • Sleep

Thalamus has a strong connection with the cerebral cortex and forms a very important circuit (thalamo-cortico-thalamic circuit). This circuit controls wakefulness and alertness of the mind. It helps in arousal from sleep. Thalamic damage may in turn produce coma.

 

ASSOCIATED PATHOLOGY

As thalamus has important connections with other parts of the brain, the disease of this area has profound effects on the body.

 

  • Loss of sensation

The decrease in blood supply to the thalamus produces thalamic lesions. This causes a decrease in the perception of various sensations including light touch.

 

  • Thalamic pain

Thalamic infarction (death of tissue due to decreased blood supply) may cause pain in the opposite side of the body. The pain may begin even with the slightest of touch. The pain is of burning or aching type.

 

  • Insomnia

As thalamus is involved in wakefulness, damage to it has a direct effect on sleep. A degenerative disorder of the thalamus, called the fatal familial insomnia, deprives the patient of sleep. This gradual loss of sleep is very disturbing for the patient and may even lead to death.

 

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