Ventral posterolateral nucleus
The ventral posterolateral nucleus (VPL) is a nucleus of ventral posterior nucleus of the thalamus.[1] It relays sensory information from the second-order neurons of the neospinothalamic tract and medial lemniscus (of the posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway) which synapse with in the third-order neurons in the nucleus. These then project to the somatosensory cortex in the postcentral gyrus.
Ventral posterolateral nucleus | |
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Details | |
Part of | Ventral posterior nucleus |
Identifiers | |
Latin | nucleus ventralis posterolateralis thalami |
NeuroNames | 344 |
NeuroLex ID | birnlex_737 |
TA98 | A14.1.08.641 A14.1.08.656 |
TA2 | 5692 |
FMA | 62200 |
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy |
There is uncertainty regarding the location of VMpo, as determined by spinothalamic tract (STT) terminations and staining for calcium-binding proteins, and several authorities do not consider its existence as being proved.[1]
Anatomy
Subdivisions
The nucleus ventralis posterior lateralis pars oralis (VPLo) is a subdivision of the ventral posterolateral thalamus which has substantial projections to the motor cortex.[2]
Additional images
- Thalamus
- The sensory tract.
References
- Willis et al The Journal of Pain 2002;3:79-94; Graziano and Jones, The Journal of Neuroscience 2004;24:248–256
- Bornschlegl, M; Asanuma, H (1987-12-22). "Importance of the projection from the sensory to the motor cortex for recovery of motor function following partial thalamic lesion in the monkey". Brain Research. 437 (1): 121–30. doi:10.1016/0006-8993(87)91533-2. PMID 2827861. S2CID 22353965.