Arterial Supply of the Thalamus: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The thalamus is a deep cerebral structure that is crucial for proper neurological functioning as it transmits signals from nearly all pathways in the body. Insult to the thalamus can, therefore, result in complex syndromes involving sensation, cognition, executive function, fine motor control, emotion, and arousal, to name a few. Specific territories in the thalamus that are supplied by deep cerebral arteries have been shown to correlate with clinical symptoms. The aim of this review is to enhance our understanding of the arterial anatomy of the thalamus and the complications that can arise from lesions to it by considering the functions of known thalamic nuclei supplied by each vascular territory.