Lateral geniculate body

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Lateral geniculate body is a part of the brain that is involved in the processing of visual information. It is located in the thalamus, and is a major relay center in the visual pathway from the retina to the visual cortex.

Structure[edit | edit source]

The lateral geniculate body is a small, ovoid structure that is part of the metathalamus, which also includes the medial geniculate body. It is divided into two parts: the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) and the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN).

The dLGN is the primary relay center for visual information, receiving input from the retina and sending output to the visual cortex. It is composed of six layers, each of which receives input from a specific type of retinal cell.

The vLGN, on the other hand, is involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms and receives input from the retina and the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

Function[edit | edit source]

The main function of the lateral geniculate body is to process visual information. It receives input from the retina and sends output to the visual cortex, where the information is further processed and interpreted.

The dLGN plays a crucial role in this process. It receives input from the retina and sends output to the visual cortex, where the information is further processed and interpreted. The six layers of the dLGN each receive input from a specific type of retinal cell, allowing for the processing of different aspects of the visual information.

The vLGN, on the other hand, is involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms. It receives input from the retina and the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and sends output to various areas of the brain involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Damage to the lateral geniculate body can result in a variety of visual impairments, including hemianopsia, quadrantanopia, and scotoma. In addition, it has been implicated in a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and Parkinson's disease.

See also[edit | edit source]

Lateral geniculate body Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD