Thalamus

PALMIHELP / iStock / Getty Images Anatomy During fetal development, the diencephalon arises from the anterior vesicle of the neural tube that also gives rise to the prosencephalon and telencephalon. The diencephalon is divided into four structures the thalamus, epithalamus, subthalamus, and the hypothalamus, which forms by the eighth week of gestation. • The zona incerta which stimulates the thalamus (responsible for the function of smooth muscle, cardiac muscles, and glands, focus, reflexes, and more) • The reticular nucleus which is responsible for the regulation of the thalamocortical pathway and consciousness • The perigeniculate nucleus which plays an important role in vision • The subthalamic nucleus which is responsible for somatic motor function Associated Conditions Due to the wide range of physiological functions that take place in the diencephalon, dysfunction due to a genetic condition, disease (such as a lesion or tumor) or injury (lack of oxygen, stroke, or traumatic accident for example), occurring in any location of this part of the brain can be devastating. Related to Dysfunction of the Epithalamus Any injury or problem that impairs proper functioning of the epithalamus or especially the pineal gland can lead to psychiatric problems such as mood disorders, issues with the sleep-wake cycle, and more. The following conditions are associated with dysfunction of the epithalamus: • Dysregulation of body temperature, appetite, or the sleep-wake cycle • Uncontrol...

The thalamic nuclei are the clusters of densely packed neuronal cell bodies that comprise the Each side of the thalamus contains six groups of nuclei; • Anterior nuclei of thalamus • Lateral nuclei of thalamus • Medial nuclei of thalamus • Intralaminar nuclei of thalamus • Paraventricular (midline) nuclei of thalamus • Reticular nucleus of thalamus The thalamic nuclei relay and modulate information incoming from the periphery to the gateway” to the cerebral cortex for limbic, motor, and all sensory modalities besides olfaction, including vision, hearing, taste, and somatic sensation. Key facts about the thalamic nuclei Functions Relaying limbic, sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex, Regulating consciousness, sleep, alertness Anterior nuclei of thalamus Anteroventral, anterodorsal, anteromedial nuclei Lateral nuclei of thalamus Medial and lateral geniculate nuclei, dorsal group (lateral dorsal, lateral posterior, pulvinar), ventral group (ventral anterior, ventral lateral, ventral posterior) Medial nuclei of thalamus Dorsomedial nucleus (parvocellular, magnocellular parts) Intralaminar nuclei of thalamus Anterior group: Central medial, paracentral, central lateral nuclei Posterior group: Centromedian, parafascicular nuclei Periventricular nuclei of thalamus Rhomboid, reuniens, parataenial nuclei Synonyms: Dorsal thalamus, Thalamencephalon , The thalamus is an egg shaped, bilateral, symmetrical mass of grey matter which forms a major part of the Each side of th...

Thalamic stroke symptoms vary depending on the part of the thalamus that’s affected. However, some general symptoms of a thalamic stroke include: • loss of sensation • difficulties with movement or maintaining balance • speech difficulties • vision loss or disturbance • sleep disturbances • lack of interest or enthusiasm • changes in attention span • memory loss • thalamic pain, also called A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment. The specific treatment you’ll receive depends on whether the stroke was ischemic or hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke treatment Treating strokes caused by a blocked artery usually involves: • Clot-dissolving medication to restore blood blow to your thalamus • Clot removal procedure using a catheter for larger clots Hemorrhagic stroke treatment Treating a hemorrhagic stroke focuses on finding and treating the source of • stopping medications that can thin your blood • • surgery to prevent blood from flowing out of the ruptured vessel • surgery to repair other faulty arteries that have a risk of rupturing Following a thalamic stroke, full recovery can take anywhere from a week or two to several months. Depending on how severe the stroke was and how quickly it was treated, you may have some permanent symptoms. Medication If your stroke was due to a blood clot, your doctor may prescribe If you have central pain syndrome, your doctor may prescribe Depending on your overall health, you may also need medication for: • high c...

Your hypothalamus, a structure deep in your brain, acts as your body’s smart control coordinating center. Its main function is to keep your body in a stable state called homeostasis. It does its job by directly influencing your autonomic nervous system or by managing hormones. Many conditions can damage your hypothalamus, which can affect many bodily functions. Function The hypothalamus helps manage your body temperature, hunger and thirst, mood, sex drive, blood pressure and sleep. What is the hypothalamus? The hypothalamus is a structure deep within your brain. It’s the main link between your What does your hypothalamus do? Your hypothalamus receives chemical messages from nerve cells in your brain and from nerve cells in your body (your peripheral nervous system), which is also responding to signals outside your body. Your hypothalamus’s main function is to react to these messages to keep your body in a stable state or internal balance. Just like you may have a “smart control” system to seamlessly manage all functions in your home, your hypothalamus is your body’s “smart control” coordinating center. Your hypothalamus helps manage your: • Body temperature. • • Hunger and thirst. • Sense of fullness when eating. • Mood. • Sex drive. • Your hypothalamus performs many of its “body balancing” jobs either by directly influencing the autonomic nervous system or by managing hormones. Your autonomic nervous system (bodily functions that work automatically) control several impor...

A stroke in the thalamus can have unique effects for every survivor. To understand how a thalamic stroke affects the body, it helps to look at what a stroke is and what functions the thalamus controls. This article will explain just that, along with an overview of the recovery process. Use the links below to jump straight to any section: • • • • Understanding a Stroke in the Thalamus A stroke occurs when the supply of blood to the brain is compromised. This can happen when an artery leading to or within the brain becomes clogged by a blood clot (known as an ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel bursts (known as a hemorrhagic stroke). When a stroke affects the thalamus, it is because an artery in this area deep within the brain has been affected. Thalamic strokes fall under the category of When a stroke occurs, it is a medical emergency as brain cells begin to die within minutes of losing blood supply. Blood flow needs to be restored as soon as possible to save the person’s life. Survivors of stroke that receive swift, fast treatment usually experience fewer secondary effects and functional impairments than those who receive delayed treatment. After a stroke has been medically treated, rehabilitation should begin as soon as possible to address any resulting secondary effects. Secondary Effects of a Thalamic Stroke Each area of the brain controls different functions. Depending on The The thalamus is responsible for relaying Potential secondary effects of a thalamic stroke ...

Article: • • • • • • • • Images: • Function The thalamus acts as a relay center, receiving and distributing information between the peripheries and higher centers such as the • consciousness • sleep • memory • sensory and motor functions Gross anatomy Structurally, the thalamus is composed of two symmetrical egg-shaped masses (thalami) which are usually connected at the midline by a band of grey matter, the The anterior pole narrows to form the posterior boundary of the Relations • superior: the superior surface is covered by the stratum zonale and is separated from the body of the fornix by the • lateral: the lateral surface contacts the descending posterior limb of the • medial: the medial walls, as previously mentioned, are joined in most cases at the interthalamic adhesion; this medial surface also forms the lateral wall of the • inferior: inferomedially, the thalamus joins the • anterior: the anterior pole of the thalamus forms the posterior wall of the Nuclei The thalamus is surrounded by two thin layers of white matter. On its superior surface, it is covered by the stratum zonale and on its lateral surface by the external medullary lamina. The grey matter of the thalamus is separated by a Y-shaped layer of white matter called the internal medullary lamina. This structure divides the thalamus into anterior, medial and lateral parts. These three parts contain the larger groups of thalamic nuclei. Other smaller groups are located on the medial and lateral surfaces of t...

Thalamic stroke symptoms vary depending on the part of the thalamus that’s affected. However, some general symptoms of a thalamic stroke include: • loss of sensation • difficulties with movement or maintaining balance • speech difficulties • vision loss or disturbance • sleep disturbances • lack of interest or enthusiasm • changes in attention span • memory loss • thalamic pain, also called A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment. The specific treatment you’ll receive depends on whether the stroke was ischemic or hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke treatment Treating strokes caused by a blocked artery usually involves: • Clot-dissolving medication to restore blood blow to your thalamus • Clot removal procedure using a catheter for larger clots Hemorrhagic stroke treatment Treating a hemorrhagic stroke focuses on finding and treating the source of • stopping medications that can thin your blood • • surgery to prevent blood from flowing out of the ruptured vessel • surgery to repair other faulty arteries that have a risk of rupturing Following a thalamic stroke, full recovery can take anywhere from a week or two to several months. Depending on how severe the stroke was and how quickly it was treated, you may have some permanent symptoms. Medication If your stroke was due to a blood clot, your doctor may prescribe If you have central pain syndrome, your doctor may prescribe Depending on your overall health, you may also need medication for: • high c...

A stroke in the thalamus can have unique effects for every survivor. To understand how a thalamic stroke affects the body, it helps to look at what a stroke is and what functions the thalamus controls. This article will explain just that, along with an overview of the recovery process. Use the links below to jump straight to any section: • • • • Understanding a Stroke in the Thalamus A stroke occurs when the supply of blood to the brain is compromised. This can happen when an artery leading to or within the brain becomes clogged by a blood clot (known as an ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel bursts (known as a hemorrhagic stroke). When a stroke affects the thalamus, it is because an artery in this area deep within the brain has been affected. Thalamic strokes fall under the category of When a stroke occurs, it is a medical emergency as brain cells begin to die within minutes of losing blood supply. Blood flow needs to be restored as soon as possible to save the person’s life. Survivors of stroke that receive swift, fast treatment usually experience fewer secondary effects and functional impairments than those who receive delayed treatment. After a stroke has been medically treated, rehabilitation should begin as soon as possible to address any resulting secondary effects. Secondary Effects of a Thalamic Stroke Each area of the brain controls different functions. Depending on The The thalamus is responsible for relaying Potential secondary effects of a thalamic stroke ...

The thalamic nuclei are the clusters of densely packed neuronal cell bodies that comprise the Each side of the thalamus contains six groups of nuclei; • Anterior nuclei of thalamus • Lateral nuclei of thalamus • Medial nuclei of thalamus • Intralaminar nuclei of thalamus • Paraventricular (midline) nuclei of thalamus • Reticular nucleus of thalamus The thalamic nuclei relay and modulate information incoming from the periphery to the gateway” to the cerebral cortex for limbic, motor, and all sensory modalities besides olfaction, including vision, hearing, taste, and somatic sensation. Key facts about the thalamic nuclei Functions Relaying limbic, sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex, Regulating consciousness, sleep, alertness Anterior nuclei of thalamus Anteroventral, anterodorsal, anteromedial nuclei Lateral nuclei of thalamus Medial and lateral geniculate nuclei, dorsal group (lateral dorsal, lateral posterior, pulvinar), ventral group (ventral anterior, ventral lateral, ventral posterior) Medial nuclei of thalamus Dorsomedial nucleus (parvocellular, magnocellular parts) Intralaminar nuclei of thalamus Anterior group: Central medial, paracentral, central lateral nuclei Posterior group: Centromedian, parafascicular nuclei Periventricular nuclei of thalamus Rhomboid, reuniens, parataenial nuclei Synonyms: Dorsal thalamus, Thalamencephalon , The thalamus is an egg shaped, bilateral, symmetrical mass of grey matter which forms a major part of the Each side of th...

PALMIHELP / iStock / Getty Images Anatomy During fetal development, the diencephalon arises from the anterior vesicle of the neural tube that also gives rise to the prosencephalon and telencephalon. The diencephalon is divided into four structures the thalamus, epithalamus, subthalamus, and the hypothalamus, which forms by the eighth week of gestation. • The zona incerta which stimulates the thalamus (responsible for the function of smooth muscle, cardiac muscles, and glands, focus, reflexes, and more) • The reticular nucleus which is responsible for the regulation of the thalamocortical pathway and consciousness • The perigeniculate nucleus which plays an important role in vision • The subthalamic nucleus which is responsible for somatic motor function Associated Conditions Due to the wide range of physiological functions that take place in the diencephalon, dysfunction due to a genetic condition, disease (such as a lesion or tumor) or injury (lack of oxygen, stroke, or traumatic accident for example), occurring in any location of this part of the brain can be devastating. Related to Dysfunction of the Epithalamus Any injury or problem that impairs proper functioning of the epithalamus or especially the pineal gland can lead to psychiatric problems such as mood disorders, issues with the sleep-wake cycle, and more. The following conditions are associated with dysfunction of the epithalamus: • Dysregulation of body temperature, appetite, or the sleep-wake cycle • Uncontrol...