Ventral lateral nucleus

Ventral Lateral Nucleus

The Ventral Lateral Nucleus (VLN) is a component of the basal ganglia system, and is a large, lens-shaped nucleus in the thalamus. It is a part of the motor system and plays a crucial role in the planning and execution of movements.

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, MThal = Metathalamus, LG = Lateral geniculate nucleus, MG = Medial geniculate nucleus

Anatomy

The Ventral Lateral Nucleus is located in the ventral part of the thalamus, adjacent to the internal capsule. It receives inputs from the basal ganglia, cerebellum, and motor cortex, and sends outputs to the primary motor cortex and premotor cortex.

Function

The Ventral Lateral Nucleus is involved in motor control. It receives information about the body's position and movement from the cerebellum and basal ganglia, processes this information, and sends it to the motor cortex, which uses it to coordinate and execute movements.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the Ventral Lateral Nucleus can result in a variety of movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and cerebellar ataxia. In addition, it has been implicated in the pathophysiology of essential tremor.

See Also

• Thalamus
• Basal ganglia
• Motor system