340 Neuroanatomy: Draw It to Know It
Know-It Points
The Diencephalon
■ Th e thalamus contains numerous thalamic nuclei and
related fi ber tracts.
■ Th e metathalamus comprises the medial and lateral
geniculate nuclei.
■ Th e subthalamus comprises the subthalamic nucleus,
zona incerta, and the nuclei of the fi elds of Forel.
■ Th e hypothalamus contains numerous hypothalamic
nuclei and related fi ber tracts, and it also contains the
mammillary bodies, and neurohypophysis.
■ Th e epithalamus comprises the habenula, pineal
gland, and the pretectal structures.
■ Major white matter bundles that pass through the
diencephalon are the column of the fornix, stria
medullaris thalami, and the anterior, posterior, and
h a b e n u l a r c o m m i s s u r e s.Thalamus: Anatomy & Function
■ Th e internal medullary lamina separates the medial
and lateral thalamic groups.
■ Th e anterior group nuclei communicate with the
limbic system.
■ Th e medial group nuclei (the most prominent of
which is the dorsomedial nucleus) connect with the
prefrontal cortex.
■ Th e lateral group nuclei divide into ventral and dorsal
subgroups.
■ Th e ventroanterior nucleus connects with the basal
ganglia.
■ Th e ventrolateral nucleus connects primarily with the
cerebellum.
■ Th e ventroposterior lateral nucleus receives sensory
aff erents from the body.
■ Th e ventroposterior medial nucleus receives sensory
aff erents from the face.
■ Th e dorsolateral nucleus communicates with the
limbic system.
■ Th e pulvinar is important for visual attention.
■ Th e medial geniculate nucleus is part of the auditory
system.
■ Th e lateral geniculate nucleus is part of the visual
system.
■ Th e most notable function of the posterior group
nuclei is nociceptive sensory processing.
■ Th e intralaminar group helps form the ascending
arousal system for wakefulness.
■ Th e midline group nuclei function in limbic-related
processes.
■ Th e thalamic reticular nucleus modulates thalamic
o u t p u t.