Anterior nuclei of thalamus
Nuclei anteriores thalami
Definition
The anterior nuclei of thalamus form a prominent bulge in the anterior superior thalamus.
The nuclei receive neuronal inputs from the hippocampus, both directly via the fornix, and indirectly where the fornix synapses with the mamillary bodies (mammillothalamic tract). Hence, an important function of the anterior nuclei pertains to memory formation.
The anterior nuclei of thalamus also have reciprocal connections with the hypothalamus, the anterior cingulate gyrus (the PAPEZ limbic circuit) and orbitomedial prefrontal cortex. Through their connections with the cingulate gyrus and prefrontal cortex, they controls the emotional tone and executive functions.
References
Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2022 IMAIOS.
Snell, R.S. (2010). ‘Chapter 12: The Thalamus and its Connections’, in Clinical Neuroanatomy. (7th ed.) Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, pp. 372.
Child, N.D. and Benarroch, E.E. (2013). Anterior nucleus of the thalamus: functional organization and clinical implications. Neurology, 81(21): pp.1869-1876. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000436078.95856.56
