Functional anatomy, vascularisation and pathology of the human thalamus

The thalamus is a nuclear complex situated in the diencephalon. Besides a n euro-anatomical description of the thalamus, this article reviews the curre nt knowledge on the functional anatomy of the three functional classes of t halamic nuclei : specific, non-specific and association nuclei. As the majo rity of the pathology affecting the thalamus is of cerebrovascular origin, the vascularisation of the human thalamus will be reviewed as well. Finally , the knowledge of the functional anatomy and the vascularisation of`the hu man thalamus will be integrated in the review of the semeiology, of thalami c syndromes. Besides its function as a relay centre in subserving sensory a nd motor mechanisms, the thalamus participates in various neurocognitive pr ocesses such as memory and language. The current knowledge on these topics will be reviewed as well.