Thalamus
Definition
The thalamus is located above the brainstem, between the cerebral cortex and midbrain. It serves as a relay station, transmitting sensory information to appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex.
Analogy
Think of thalamus as a post office in your brain. Just like how a post office sorts and sends mail to correct addresses, thalamus sorts out all incoming sensory data and sends them to right parts of cerebral cortex for processing.
Related terms
Cerebral Cortex: This is like main office where all sorted mails (sensory information) from Thalamus are sent for further processing.
Sensory Neurons: These neurons carry signals from outer parts of your body into central nervous system just like mail carriers delivering letters to post office (Thalamus).
Limbic System: This includes thalamus and some other structures involved in many of our emotions and motivations, particularly those that are related to survival such as fear and anger.
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