The ventral posteromedial nucleus (VPM) is the thalamic relay for sensation from the face, mouth and head. It receives trigeminal sensory pathways and also taste fibres, and sends them on to the face area of the somatosensory cortex and to the gustatory cortex.
| Location | Ventral tier of the lateral thalamus, just medial to the ventral posterolateral nucleus |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Connections |
|
| Blood Supply | Thalamogeniculate arteries (posterior cerebral artery) |
Relays touch, pain, temperature and position sense from the opposite side of the face, and taste from the tongue, to the cerebral cortex.
Damage to the VPM causes numbness of the opposite side of the face, often together with the arm and leg if the VPL is also involved. A small lesion here can produce the cheiro-oral syndrome, numbness around the mouth and in the hand on the same side, because these areas lie next to each other in the thalamic map.
Numbness around the corner of the mouth and in the hand on the same side from a small lesion at the VPM-VPL border.
Loss of sensation over the opposite side of the face after infarction or haemorrhage involving the VPM.
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.
