Question

Part of the brain acting as relay center is ---
(a)Thalamus
(b)Hypothalamus
(c)Medulla oblongata
(d)Pituitary

Answer 1

Hint: It is the largest structure formed during embryonic development as the main product of the diencephalon. Almost all the sensory information passes through this structure before transferring to the higher centers of the brain.

Complete answer:
Thalamus is known as the relay center because it performs relaying of motor and sensory signals to the cerebral cortex. It is a small structure that is situated above the brainstem between the cerebral cortex and the midbrain. It derives the blood supply from the posterior cerebral artery which is further divided into the number of arteries such as a polar artery, paramedian thalamic-subthalamic arteries, inferolateral arteries, and posterior choroidal arteries.
Functions of the thalamus –
-The thalamus is generally considered to act as a relay station that conveys the information between different subcortical areas and the cerebral cortex.
-The thalamus is also playing a significant role in regulating states of sleep and consciousness. The level of consciousness is regulated by the intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus.
-The major role of the thalamus includes support of motor cognition and language systems that shares much of the circuitry occupied for these systems.
So, the correct answer is ‘Thalamus’.

Note: Fatal familial insomnia is a hereditary prion disease in which the thalamus gets degenerated and causes the patient to gradually lose his ability to sleep. This state of mind is known as insomnia that consistently leads to death. Disease in arterial supply can lead to damage to the thalamus due to hemorrhage known as neoplasia.