The thalamus
A)performs preliminary processing of all sensory input on its way to the cortex
B)inhibits muscle tone throughout the body
C)controls thirst, urine output, and food intake
D)plays a role in emotional and behavioral patterns
E)selects and maintains purposeful motor activity while suppressing useless or unwanted patterns of movement

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The thalamus is responsible for processing all sensory information, except for the sense of smell, and relaying it to the cortex for further processing. This makes choice A the correct option.

B) The brainstem is responsible for inhibiting muscle tone throughout the body, not the thalamus.

C) The hypothalamus, not the thalamus, controls thirst, urine output, and food intake.

D) While the thalamus does play a role in emotion and behavior, it is primarily responsible for sensory processing.

E) The basal ganglia, not the thalamus, selects and maintains purposeful motor activity and suppresses useless or unwanted movement patterns.

The Thalamus