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Anatomical evidence concerning the role of the thalamus in corticocortical communication: a brief review.

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  • 1. Department of Anatomy, University of Oxford, UK.
      Authors
    • Guillery RW 1
    (1 author)

Journal of Anatomy, 01 Dec 1995, 187 ( Pt 3):583-592
PMID: 8586557 PMCID: PMC1167461

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Abstract 

Two distinct types of thalamic nucleus are proposed on the basis of the afferent fibres that they receive from ascending pathways and from the cerebral cortex. 'First order nuclei' receive primary afferent fibres, definable on the basis of their origin and their intrathalamic synaptic relationships, from ascending pathways. These nuclei receive corticothalamic afferents from pyramidal cells in cortical layer 6, which also send branches to the thalamic reticular nucleus and appear to have a modulatory function. 'Higher order nuclei' receive most or all of their 'primary afferents' from pyramidal cells in cortical layer 5. These resemble the ascending primary afferents in the first order nuclei in terms of fine structure, synaptic relationships and in lacking a branch to the thalamic reticular nucleus. The higher order nuclei also receive modulatory afferents from layer 6. It is proposed that the higher-order nuclei are largely concerned with transmitting information about the output of one cortical area to another cortical area, and that they are likely to play a key role in corticocortical communication and higher cortical functions.

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J Anat. 1995 Dec; 187(Pt 3): 583–592.
PMCID: PMC1167461
PMID: 8586557

Anatomical evidence concerning the role of the thalamus in corticocortical communication: a brief review.

R W Guillery
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Abstract

Two distinct types of thalamic nucleus are proposed on the basis of the afferent fibres that they receive from ascending pathways and from the cerebral cortex. 'First order nuclei' receive primary afferent fibres, definable on the basis of their origin and their intrathalamic synaptic relationships, from ascending pathways. These nuclei receive corticothalamic afferents from pyramidal cells in cortical layer 6, which also send branches to the thalamic reticular nucleus and appear to have a modulatory function. 'Higher order nuclei' receive most or all of their 'primary afferents' from pyramidal cells in cortical layer 5. These resemble the ascending primary afferents in the first order nuclei in terms of fine structure, synaptic relationships and in lacking a branch to the thalamic reticular nucleus. The higher order nuclei also receive modulatory afferents from layer 6. It is proposed that the higher-order nuclei are largely concerned with transmitting information about the output of one cortical area to another cortical area, and that they are likely to play a key role in corticocortical communication and higher cortical functions.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
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