subthalamus

subthalamus /sub·thal·a·mus/ (sub-thal´ah-mus) the ventral thalamus or subthalamic tegmental region: a transitional region of the diencephalon interposed between the (dorsal) thalamus, the hypothalamus, and the tegmentum of the mesencephalon (midbrain); it includes the subthalamic nucleus, Forel's fields, and the zona incerta.subthalam´ic

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sub·thal·a·mus (sb-thl-ms)

n.

The part of the diencephalon that is wedged ventrally between the thalamus on the dorsal side and the cerebral peduncle, is lateral to the dorsal half of the hypothalamus, and is caudally continuous with the mesencephalic tegmentum.

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subtha·lamic (-th-lmk) adj.

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subthalamus

[-thal′əməs]

Etymology: L, sub + Gk, thalamos, chamber

a part of the diencephalon that serves as a correlation center for optic and vestibular impulses relayed to the globus pallidus. It is a transition zone between the thalamus and the tegmentum mesencephali. Compare epithalamus, hypothalamus, metathalamus, thalamus. subthalamic, adj.

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thalamus [thal´ah-mus] (L.)

either of two large ovoid structures (the dorsal thalamus or simply thalamus and the ventral thalamus) composed of gray matter and located at the base of the cerebrum. (See also brain.) adj., adj thalam´ic. The thalamus functions as a relay station in which sensory pathways of the spinal cord and brainstem form synapses on their way to the cerebral cortex. Specific locations in the thalamus are related to specific areas on the body surface and in the cerebral cortex. A sensory impulse from the body surface travels upward to the thalamus, where it is received as a primitive sensation and then is sent on to the cerebral cortex for interpretation as to location, character, and duration. The thalamus has numerous connections to other areas of the brain as well, and these are thought to be important in the integration of cerebral, cerebellar, and brainstem activity.

ventral thalamus the subthalamic tegmental region, a transitional region of the diencephalon interposed between the (dorsal) thalamus, the hypothalamus, and the tegmentum of the mesencephalon; it includes the subthalamic nucleus, Forel's fields, and the zona incerta. Called also subthalamus.

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subthalamus

the ventral thalamus or subthalamic tegmental region: a transitional region of the diencephalon interposed between the (dorsal) thalamus, the hypothalamus, and the tegmentum of the mesencephalon (midbrain); it includes the subthalamic nucleus and the zona incerta, all with unknown functions.