Ventral Posterolateral (VPL) Nucleus
10,639 views
Thalamic Nuclei
- Ventral Posterolateral (VPL) Nucleus
- Ventral Posteromedial (VPM) Nucleus
- Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (LGN)
- Medial Geniculate Nucleus (MGN)
- Ventral Lateral (VL) Nucleus
Ventral Posterolateral (VPL) Nucleus
Subscribe to watch this premium Ventral Posterolateral (VPL) Nucleus mnemonic in the Thalamic Nuclei playlist.
Subscribe to watch this premium mnemonic
Summary
The ventral posterolateral (VPL) nucleus is a collection of neurons located in the thalamus. This nucleus receives sensory information from the spinothalamic tracts and the dorsal columns, which basically includes all sensation from the body below the face. The VPL nucleus then relays this information to the primary somatosensory cortex for higher processing.
Key Points
- Ventral Posterolateral (VPL) Nucleus
- Location
- Thalamus
- Major relay for most sensory and motor information
- Thalamus
- Input
- Sensation from
- Spinothalamic tract
- Pain and Temperature
- Crude Touch
- Dorsal Columns/Medial Lemniscus
- Vibration
- Pressure
- Proprioception
- Fine Touch
- Spinothalamic tract
- Sensation from
- Destination
- Primary somatosensory cortex
- Lesions
- Lacunar stroke involving ventral posterior thalamus knocks out VPL and VPM nuclei, resulting in complete contralateral sensory loss.
- This can also cause thalamic syndrome, characterized by contralateral burning or stabbing pain over one side of the body
- Lacunar stroke involving ventral posterior thalamus knocks out VPL and VPM nuclei, resulting in complete contralateral sensory loss.
- Location