Nucleus · one in each half of the brain
Lateral posterior nucleus of the thalamus
Also called LP
A neighbor of the pulvinar that links what you see to where things are.
The lateral posterior nucleus sits on the upper back part of the thalamus, just in front of the pulvinar. It is not a simple sense relay. Instead, it trades signals with the parietal lobe, the part of the brain that works out where things are in space. It also gets signals from the superior colliculus, an ancient visual center in the midbrain.
Where it is
On the upper, outer part of the thalamus toward the back, right in front of the pulvinar.
What it does
Partner of the parietal lobe
It trades signals with the parietal lobe, which figures out where things are around you.
Sense of space
Through its links with the parietal lobe, it takes part in combining sight, touch and body position into a sense of space.
Cortex-to-cortex messenger
Instead of mainly passing on signals from the senses, it trades signals with several areas of the cortex, including the parietal and cingulate cortex.
Think of it as a navigator on a ship, matching what the lookout sees with the map of where everything is.
Works with
- Superior parietal lobuleIts main partner for working out where things are in space.
- Angular gyrus regionAnother parietal area it trades signals with, involved in attention and awareness of space.
- PulvinarIts neighbor on the upper back part of the thalamus.
- Superior colliculusAn ancient visual center that sends it signals about where things are.
When it goes wrong
Attention problems
Damage to this back part of the thalamus, often together with the pulvinar, can make it harder to focus attention when distractions are around.
For learning only, not medical advice. If you have a health concern, talk to a doctor.
Where the name comes from
"Lateral" means toward the side and "posterior" means toward the back.
Quick quiz
3 questions. Your answers are saved and come back in your daily review.
Which of these is a job of the lateral posterior nucleus?
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Partner of the parietal lobe. It trades signals with the parietal lobe, which figures out where things are around you.
Partner of the parietal lobe. It trades signals with the parietal lobe, which figures out where things are around you.
The lateral posterior nucleus is part of which larger structure?
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Thalamus. It belongs to the thalamus.
Thalamus. It belongs to the thalamus.
Which part fits this description? "Like a navigator on a ship, matching what the lookout sees with the map of where everything is."
Show the answer
Lateral posterior nucleus. It is the lateral posterior nucleus. A neighbor of the pulvinar that links what you see to where things are.
Lateral posterior nucleus. It is the lateral posterior nucleus. A neighbor of the pulvinar that links what you see to where things are.
These parts now come back in your daily review, just before you would forget them.
Practice it and its neighbors in 3DSources
- Thalamic nuclei: Connections, functions and anatomy, Kenhub
- Thalamus: Anatomy, nuclei, function, Kenhub
- 19.2 How is Attention Implemented in the Brain?, OpenStax, Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience
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