TÁLAMO: what it is, functions and location

The anatomy of the human being is composed of a wide variety of muscles, bones, organs, neurons, among others. There are certain parts of the body that acquire greater relevance depending on the functions they fulfill within the organism. There are popular sayings that say that the brain is the most important organ and that its proper functioning has extremely positive effects for the person. However, a question arises here: what do we mean when we talk about the brain? Does any part of the brain have the same relevance so that we can correctly execute our daily tasks?

We must know that there are certain specific points that fulfill very important functions and have knowledge of them can help us reach a higher understanding about ourselves themselves. Do you want to know one of the most important parts? In this Psychology-Online article, we will provide you with information about thalamus: what it is, functions and location.

Index

1. What is the thalamus
2. Thalamus functions
3. Location the thalamus
4. Thalamus nuclei

When we refer to the thalamus, we are talking about a structure that is found within the central nervous system of the brain. In turn, we can say that it is a tissue of neurons located in an area called the diencephalon. It is important to know that the diencephalon is in charge of controlling human emotions and sensations. This sector is located in an anterior region of the brain, which is directly connected to a sector of the brainstem and the brain. For these reasons, we can glimpse the complexity involved in brain tissues, since each of they carry out specific functions that are very useful in the daily activities of being human.

Here you can see the parts of the brain and their functions.

If we observe the thalamus through an X-ray, we will notice that its oval and symmetrical shape it divides the right and left hemispheres.

The thalamus has a number of important functions vital to people. First of all, we will mention that is responsible for the processing of motor and sensory information coming from the stimuli of the human body. In relation to this point, this sector of the Central Nervous System has great relevance since it is closely linked to the spinal cord and brainstem, which participate in the realization of nerve electrical impulses. Therefore, among the functions of the thalamus we find:

• Integration of sensory information: the thalamus is responsible for unifying the stimuli related to vision, hearing, touch and taste. However, it is not part of the processing of olfactory stimuli since the olfactory system participates there.
• Regulation of the sleep cycle: Another function of the thalamus is to influence the time to fall asleep and intervenes in the maintenance of the waking state. Something the hypothalamus also does. In this article, you can see what the hypothalamus, its location and functions.
• Maintenance of care: The thalamus has been found to play an important role in a person's attention span. This allows humans to capture information found within their environment and enter it into the central nervous system to decode it.
• Regulation of emotions: There are a series of neural circuits that are responsible for transmitting various nerve signals in the form of messages. Under these circumstances, the electrical impulses that have messages related to emotions are elaborated by the thalamus. The main structure involved in emotions is the brain tonsil.
• Impact on memory: the ability of the human being to store memories in the short, medium and long term is regulated by several organs that are within the central nervous system. In this regard, we can highlight the thalamus as one of the most important so that sensory information can be located correctly. Know here the Memory types.
• Ordering of motor impulses: Another characteristic that highlights the functionality of the thalamus consists of the collaboration with different circuits of neurons oriented towards motor coordination. For this reason, the ability to move is largely regulated by the thalamus.

Where is the talamo? In order to distinguish its location in the central nervous system, we will describe some areas of importance. Besides the diencephalon, there are other parts such as the cerebellum, the cerebral cortex, the brain stem, the reticular substance, the ventricles, among others.

As for the thalamus, we should know that It is located in connection with the diencephalon and within the internal sector of the brain. In relation to this point, the thalamus may be located above the brainstem. In addition, above the thalamus is the striated nucleus composed of the caudate nucleus and the putamen. Secondly, the thalamus borders the cerebellum and its participation in the regulation of vital functions is crucial given the connection it has with the areas of the brain mentioned above. All these regions are encompassed within the cerebral cortex that makes up the location of greater amplitude within the cranial cavity of the human being.

Finally, we will say that the location of this brain region is associated with good bodily functioning given its participation in people's daily lives.

We are going to see the structure of the thalamus and what are the nuclei of the thalamus. The thalamus has a very rich nuclear structure. Up to 50 thalamic nuclei, some of them have several microscopic subdivisions. The nomenclature of thalamic nuclei is very complex, we will see some of the most relevant:

• Midline nuclei (paratenial, paraventricular, reuniens, rhomboid)
• Intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus (centromedian, parafascicular, paracentral, central lateral, and central median)
• Reticular nuclei of the thalamus
• Geniculate bodies
• Posterior ventral nuclei of the thalamus
• Cerebellar relay nuclei
• Anterior nuclei of the thalamus

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Thalamus: what it is, functions and location, we recommend that you enter our category of Neuropsychology.

• Duque Parra, J.E., Vásquez, B., Del Sol, M. (2020). Thalamus according to Galen. A controversial metaphor. International Journal of Morphology, 38 (3), 799-803.
• Nadal, M., Amarillo, Y. (2018). The thalamus in the spotlight. Conicet Digital, 27 (160), 67-71.
• Perea-Bartolomé, M. V., & Ladera-Fernández, V. (2004). The thalamus: neurofunctional aspects. Rev Neurol, 38 (7), 687-693.
• Quiroz-Padilla, M. F., Martí-Nicolovius, M., & Guillazo-Blanch, G. (2010). Posterior intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus and cognitive processes. Journal of Neurology, 51(4), 217-225.