A 65-year-old man is brought to the emergency department due to sudden loss of sensation in the left side of the body. The patient is knowns to have hypertension and diabetes mellitus. He has been smoking two packs of cigarettes for the last 20 years. Physical examinations show decreased touch, temperature, and vibratory sensation in the left side of the body and the face. The motor examination is normal. This patient is most likely having a stroke in which of the following structures?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: The ventral posterior side of the thalamus is the relay center for sensory signals. The ventral posterolateral nucleus receives from the spinothalamic and the dorsal columns of the spinal cord. While the ventral posteromedial receives from the trigeminal pathway. Then the thalamus will send its projections toward the cortex. Therefore, stroke at this level leads to contralateral sensory loss.

A 65-Year-Old Man Is Brought to the Emergency Department Due