Thalamus MCQ Quiz | Neurophysiology

Welcome to the Thalamus MCQ Quiz for Neurophysiology! This quiz is specifically designed for MBBS students to test and reinforce their understanding of this critical diencephalic structure. The thalamus, often called the ‘gateway to the cerebral cortex,’ plays a pivotal role in relaying sensory and motor signals, as well as regulating consciousness, sleep, and alertness. This quiz covers its intricate nuclear groups, functional divisions, vascular supply, and key clinical syndromes like Dejerine-Roussy syndrome. You will face 25 challenging questions to assess your knowledge. After submitting your answers, you’ll see your score and a detailed review of the correct and incorrect responses. You can also download a PDF of all questions and their correct answers for future revision.

1. Which of the following thalamic nuclei is primarily involved in relaying auditory information to the primary auditory cortex?

2. All sensory pathways, except for one, have a major synaptic relay in the thalamus. Which sensory modality is the exception?

3. The ventral posterolateral (VPL) nucleus of the thalamus is a primary relay center for which type of information?

4. A lesion to the anterior nucleus of the thalamus would most likely result in deficits related to:

5. The main blood supply to the thalamus is derived from branches of which artery?

6. Which thalamic nucleus is considered a ‘motor’ nucleus and receives significant input from the cerebellum?

7. The internal medullary lamina is a Y-shaped sheet of white matter that divides the thalamus into which major groups?

8. Dejerine-Roussy syndrome (thalamic pain syndrome), characterized by contralateral hemianesthesia and severe dysesthetic pain, is most commonly caused by an infarct affecting which nucleus?

9. The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) is unique among thalamic nuclei because it:

10. The medial dorsal nucleus (or dorsomedial nucleus) has strong reciprocal connections with which part of the cerebral cortex?

11. Which thalamic nucleus receives somatosensory input from the face via the trigeminal lemniscus?

12. The Pulvinar nucleus is the largest nucleus of the thalamus and is primarily classified as a(n):

13. The lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) processes information for which sensory system?

14. Which thalamic nucleus receives input from the globus pallidus and substantia nigra and projects to the premotor and supplementary motor areas?

15. The intralaminar nuclei, such as the centromedian nucleus, are primarily involved in:

16. The “thalamic hand” is a clinical sign characterized by flexion at the wrist and MCP joints with extension at IP joints. It is associated with a lesion in:

17. Which of the following best describes the function of “association nuclei” of the thalamus?

18. The mammillothalamic tract connects the mammillary bodies to which thalamic nucleus?

19. The thalamus develops from which secondary vesicle of the embryonic brain?

20. Which of the following is considered a ‘nonspecific’ thalamic nucleus, projecting diffusely to the cortex?

21. The main neurotransmitter used by neurons projecting from the thalamus to the cortex is:

22. Which thalamic nucleus is functionally part of the limbic system and receives input from the amygdala and projects to the prefrontal cortex?

23. Korsakoff syndrome, often seen in chronic alcoholics, involves damage to which thalamic nuclei (among other structures)?

24. Thalamocortical oscillations are crucial for generating sleep spindles and are regulated primarily by the interaction between the cortex, thalamic relay nuclei, and the:

25. The artery of Percheron is a rare anatomic variant that arises from the P1 segment of the PCA and provides bilateral supply to the paramedian thalamus. Occlusion of this artery typically leads to: