thalamus

Examples of thalamus in the following topics:

• Lower-Level Structures

  • The diencephalon is made up of four distinct components: the thalamus, the subthalamus, the hypothalamus, and the epithalamus.
  • The thalamus is part of the limbic system.
  • Lesions of, or stimulation to, the thalamus are associated with changes in emotional reactivity.
  • However, the importance of this structure on the regulation of emotional behavior is not due to the activity of the thalamus itself, but to the connections between the thalamus and other limbic-system structures.
  • The hypothalamus is a small part of the brain located just below the thalamus.

• The Limbic System

  • There are several important structures within the limbic system: the amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and cingulate gyrus.
  • Both the thalamus and hypothalamus are associated with changes in emotional reactivity.
  • The thalamus, which is a sensory "way-station" for the rest of the brain, is primarily important due to its connections with other limbic-system structures.
  • The hypothalamus is a small part of the brain located just below the thalamus on both sides of the third ventricle.

• Other Steps

  • Any sensation of interest is perceived by the senses and travels to the thalamus of the human brain.
  • The thalamus combines these sensations into one solitary experience.

• Cannon–Bard Theory of Emotion

  • The optic thalamus, in particular, is a region that contains the neural organizations for different emotional expressions.

• Biology of Emotion

  • Its structures include the hypothalamus, thalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus.
  • The thalamus serves as a sensory relay center; its neurons project signals to both the amygdala and the higher cortical regions for further processing.
  • Its structures include the hypothalamus, thalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus

• Etiology of Schizophrenia

  • The thalamus can also affect symptoms in various ways: a decrease in the size of the thalamus may lead to hallucinations, and a breakdown in one of the neural pathways within the thalamus is associated with disjointed associations.

• Perceiving Depth, Distance, and Size

  • These impulses travel through the central nervous system, stop at the sensory way-station of the thalamus, and then are routed to the visual cortex.

• Development of the Human Brain

  • The diencephalon is lower, containing the thalamus and hypothalamus (which together form the limbic system); the telencephalon is on top of the diencephalon and contains the cerebrum, the home of the highest-level cognitive processing in the brain.

• The Endocrine System and Hunger

  • The hypothalamus is the region of the forebrain below the thalamus that forms the basal portion of the diencephalon.

• Conscious vs. Unconscious Emotion

  • Visual input is received by the thalamus and projected to the amygdala, which sends signals directly to the areas of the brain responsible for generating self-defense behavior.