The ventral posterolateral nucleus (VPL) is one of the subdivisions of the ventral posterior nucleus in the ventral nuclear group of the thalamus.[1] It relays sensory information from the second-order neurons of the neospinothalamic tract and medial lemniscus (of the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway) which synapse with the third-order neurons in the nucleus. These then project to the primary somatosensory cortex in the postcentral gyrus.[2][citation needed]
Ventral posterolateral nucleus | |
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![]() Thalamic nuclei: MNG = Midline nuclear group AN = Anterior nuclear group MD = Medial dorsal nucleus VNG = Ventral nuclear group VA = Ventral anterior nucleus VL = Ventral lateral nucleus VPL = Ventral posterolateral nucleus VPM = Ventral posteromedial nucleus LNG = Lateral nuclear group PUL = Pulvinar MTh = Metathalamus LG = Lateral geniculate nucleus MG = Medial geniculate nucleus | |
![]() Thalamic nuclei | |
Details | |
Part of | Ventral posterior nucleus |
Identifiers | |
Latin | nucleus ventralis posterolateralis |
NeuroNames | 344 |
NeuroLex ID | birnlex_737 |
TA98 | A14.1.08.641 A14.1.08.656 |
TA2 | 5692 |
FMA | 62200 |
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy [edit on Wikidata] |
There is uncertainty regarding the location of VMpo (posterior part of ventral medial nucleus), as determined by spinothalamic tract (STT) terminations and staining for calcium-binding proteins, and several authorities do not consider its existence as being proved.[1][3]
The term "ventral posterolateral nucleus" was introduced by Le Gros Clark in 1930.[4][5]
The oral part of the ventral posterolateral nucleus (nucleus ventrointermedius) in the human, (VPLO)[6] is a subdivision of the VPL with projections to the motor cortex.[7]
There is also a caudal part of the ventral posterolateral nucleus (VPLC).[8]