Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (LGN)

Summary

The Lateral Geniculate Nucleus, often abbreviated as the LGN or otherwise known as the lateral geniculate body, is a nucleus located inside the thalamus. This nucleus acts as a sensory relay, taking in visual information from the optic nerve, and sending out this visual information to the primary visual cortex of the brain.

Key Points

• Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (LGN)
  • Also known as the Lateral Geniculate Body
  • Location
    • Thalamus
      • Major relay for most sensory and motor information
  • Input
    • Vision
      • from Optic Nerve (CN II)
        • After optic chiasm via optic tract
  • Destination
    • Primary visual cortex
      • Via ipsilateral optic radiations to ipsilateral PVC in occipital lobe