BRS

and Hypothalamus 13

Diencephalon: Thalamus

chapter

Objectives Thalamus ■ List the boundaries of the thalamus. ■ List the thalamic nuclei and their primary functions and connections. ■ Describe the blood supply to the thalamus. ■ Describe the internal capsule. Hypothalamus ■ List the boundaries of the hypothalamus.

■ List the regions and nuclei of the hypothalamus and their primary functions and connections. ■ List the major fiber pathways associated with the hypothalamus and include a description of what they connect and the clinical implications if they are damaged.

I. OVERVIEW: THE THALAMUS

■ largest division of the diencephalon. ■ receives precortical input from all sensory systems, except the olfactory system. ■ largest input received is from the cerebral cortex. ■ projects primarily to the cerebral cortex and to a lesser degree to the basal nuclei and hypothalamus. ■ plays an important role in sensory and motor system integration.

II. BOUNDARIES OF THE THALAMUS (Figures 13.1 and 13.2)

A. Anterior: interventricular foramen

B. Posterior: free pole of the pulvinar

C. Dorsal: free surface underlying the fornix and the lateral ventricle

D. Ventral: plane connecting the hypothalamic sulci

Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer, Inc. Unauthorized reproduction of the content is prohibited. E. Medial: third ventricle

F. Lateral: posterior limb of the internal capsule

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