The lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) is the thalamic relay station for vision. Most fibres of the optic tract end here, and the LGN sends the visual signal on to the primary visual cortex through the optic radiation. It has six layers, each receiving input from only one eye.
| Location | Small swelling on the posterolateral underside of the thalamus, beneath the pulvinar, at the end of the optic tract |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Connections |
|
| Blood Supply | Anterior choroidal artery; Lateral posterior choroidal artery |
Relays and filters visual information from the opposite half of the visual field of both eyes to the visual cortex.
A lesion of the LGN produces a contralateral homonymous visual field defect. Because the LGN has a dual blood supply, infarcts of one artery can produce unusual sector-shaped (wedge or quadruple sectoranopia) field defects that point to this site. Pupillary light reflexes are spared, since the reflex fibres leave the optic tract before reaching the LGN.
Loss of the same half of the visual field in both eyes, on the side opposite a lesion of the LGN or optic radiation.
A wedge-shaped homonymous field defect caused by infarction of part of the LGN in the territory of one choroidal artery.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
