The ventral lateral nucleus (VL) is a nucleus in the

ventral nuclear group The ventral nuclear group is a collection of nuclei on the ventral side of the thalamus The thalamus (: thalami; from Greek language, Greek Wikt:θάλαμος, θάλαμος, "chamber") is a large mass of gray matter on the lateral wall of th ...

of the

thalamus The thalamus (: thalami; from Greek language, Greek Wikt:θάλαμος, θάλαμος, "chamber") is a large mass of gray matter on the lateral wall of the third ventricle forming the wikt:dorsal, dorsal part of the diencephalon (a division of ...

Inputs and outputs

It receives neuronal inputs from the basal ganglia which includes the substantia nigra and the globus pallidus (via the thalamic fasciculus). It also has inputs from the cerebellum (via the dentatothalamic tract). It sends neuronal output to the primary motor cortex and premotor cortex. The ventral lateral nucleus in the thalamus forms the motor functional division in the thalamic nuclei along with the ventral anterior nucleus. The ventral lateral nucleus receives motor information from the cerebellum and the globus pallidus. Output from the ventral lateral nucleus then goes to the primary motor cortex.

Functions

The function of the ventral lateral nucleus is to target efferents including the motor cortex, premotor cortex, and supplementary motor cortex. Therefore, its function helps the coordination and planning of movement. It also plays a role in the learning of movement.Crosson, B., (1992). Subcortical Functions in Language and Memory. New York: The Guliford Press.

Clinical significance

A lesion of the VL has been associated with

synesthesia Synesthesia (American English) or synaesthesia (British English) is a perceptual phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. People with sy ...

Subdivisions

The subdivisions of the ventral lateral nucleus include the following nuclei. *ventral medial nucleusBrainInfo NeuroName 340
/ref> ( medial part of ventral lateral nucleus) *anterior ventral lateral nucleusBrainInfo NeuroName 338
/ref> ( pallidal inputs, projects mainly to premotor cortex) *posterior ventral lateral nucleusBrainInfo NeuroName 339
/ref> (cerebellar inputs, principal relay to motor cortex)

Inputs and outputs

Functions

Clinical significance

Subdivisions

Additional images

References

External links