Ventral lateral nuclei

The lateral group of thalamic nuclei can be divided into dorsal and ventral tiers. Ventral lateral nuclei belong to the ventral tier group of thalamic nuclei. These–along with the ventral anterior nuclei–provide synaptic relays for the motor neurons coming from cerebellum (a.k.a. dentato-thalamic tracts) and basal ganglia (from substantia nigra pars reticularis and globus pallidus internum). Major neuronal outputs include the thalamocortical neurons projecting to the cerebral cortex (motor, pre-motor and supplementary motor areas). Since, ventral lateral nuclei are part of the basal ganglia and cerebellar neuronal circuitry, these are mainly involved in coordinating and modulating the voluntary motor activity.