Ventral posterolateral nucleus


The ventral posterolateral nucleus is a nucleus of the thalamus. Together with the ventral posteromedial nucleus, ventral posterior inferior nucleus and ventromedial posterior nucleus, it constitutes the ventral posterior nucleus. There is uncertainty in the location of VMpo, as determined by spinothalamic tract terminations and staining for calcium-binding proteins, and several authorities do not consider its existence as being proved.

Input and output

The VPL receives information from the neospinothalamic tract and the medial lemniscus of the posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway. It then projects this sensory information to Brodmann's Areas 3, 1 and 2 in the postcentral gyrus. Collectively, Brodmann areas 3, 1 and 2 make up the primary somatosensory cortex of the brain.

Additional images