Thalamus

The thalamus is a bilateral structure of the thalamencephalon located on either side of the third ventricle, consisting of multiple nuclei organized into rostral, medial, lateral, and intralaminar groups.

It receives and integrates sensory (except olfactory), motor, and emotional information, then relays it to the cerebral cortex. The rostral tubercle of the thalamus is located in its anterior part, while the thalamic tenia corresponds to the lateral attachment of the ventricular roof onto the thalamus. The pulvinar, situated in the caudal dorsolateral part, is involved in visual attention and connections with the visual associative cortex.

In Equids, the thalamus is relatively small, ovoid, with no clear distinction between its rostral tubercle and pulvinar. In Ruminants, it is slightly shorter but wider. In Carnivores, it is not larger in volume, but the rostral tubercle and pulvinar are more distinct. In Humans, the two thalami are thick, elongated, and highly oblique in a caudolateral direction, with the pulvinar being particularly well developed.