lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN)

The term lateral geniculate nucleus refers to one of two components of the lateral geniculate complex in the human ( Mai-2004; Riley-1943 ), the macaque ( Shantha-1968; Martin-2000 ), the rat ( Swanson-2004 ), and the mouse ( Franklin-2008 ), In primates it is a large six-layered nucleus located ventral to a thin pregeniculate nucleus. Separated from the smaller nucleus by fibers of the optic tract, it is composed of two parts: the ventral layers of the lateral geniculate nucleus (layers 1 and 2), and the dorsal layers of the lateral geniculate nucleus (layers 3-5). Many authors refer to it as the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus or DLG. That poses no problem in the rat ( Swanson-2004 ) and the mouse ( Franklin-2008 ), because the lateral geniculate nucleus lies dorsal to the other component of the lateral geniculate complex, the pregeniculate nucleus.. Applied to the adult primates, however, it causes confusion, because in primates the lateral geniculate nucleus is located ventral to the pregeniculate nucleus.

Also known as: Nucleus corporis geniculati lateralis, pars dorsalis, Nucleus geniculatus lateralis dorsalis, dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, lateral geniculate complex, dorsal part, Corpus geniculatum laterale (Hassler), lateral geniculate nucleus, dorsal part, dorsal part of the lateral geniculate complex, Nucleus geniculatus lateralis, lateral geniculate nucleus

NeuroNames ID: 353

All Names & Sources

Showing 23 synonym(s)

Language
Name
Source
English
dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus
English
dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus
English
dorsal part of the lateral geniculate complex
English
lateral geniculate complex, dorsal part
English
lateral geniculate nucleus
English
lateral geniculate nucleus, dorsal part
Species With The Structure
Equivalent By Human Macaque Rat Mouse
Topology Has The Structure Has The Structure Has The Structure Has The Structure

Showing 7 record(s)

Basis
Has Equivalent
Organism
Their Name
Source
Topology
Yes
Corpus geniculatum laterale (Hassler)
Topology
Yes
Nucleus corporis geniculati lateralis, pars dorsalis
Topology
Yes
Nucleus geniculatus lateralis dorsalis
Topology
Yes
dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus
Topology
Yes
dorsal part of the lateral geniculate complex
Topology
Yes
lateral geniculate complex, dorsal part
Topology
Yes
lateral geniculate nucleus, dorsal part
Models Where It Appears
Structural CNS Model - Macaque

Brain structures of the macaque are illustrated in BrainInfo’s NeuroMaps macaque brain atlas. Structures are grouped by proximity in a hierarchy corresponding to the central nervous system hierarchy of NeuroNames ( Bowden-1995 Martin-2000 ). Structures in the NeuroMaps atlas are based on the segmentation of an MRI of the brain of a 3-year old male rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). The atlas is most useful for targeting structures for implantating electrodes and chemtrodes. Updated 29 Oct 2025.

Functional CNS Model - Rat

The Functional CNS Model - Rat (FMrat) ( Swanson-2004) is one of three hierarchical models representing the internal organization of the central nervous system (CNS). The others are the Structural CNS Model - Human (SThmn) and the Functional CNS Model - Human (FMhmn). The FMrat model represents the basic organization of the mouse ( Hof-2000 AMBA-2024 ) and, presumably, other rodents. Functional CNS models differ from structural models in that structures are defined and named by connectivity rather than by proximity to other structures at the same level. Functional models are more useful for representing longitudinal components of are grouped based on information drawn from multiple neuroscientific disciplines. such as connections, neurochemical characteristics, and role in physiogical and behavioral processes. While the Functional Model was developed primarily for an atlas of the rat brain ( Swanson-2004 ), the hierarchical organization of structures is for the most part applicable to the human, macaque, mouse and other mammalian brains as well. Structures at lower levels of the Functional CNS hierarchy are largely the same as in the Classical and Developmental Models, i.e., they were originally identified by stains for gray matter (Nissl substance) and white matter (myelin). At the next higher level they are grouped into basic connectional and functional systems of the CNS, such as the subcortical sensory systems, the brainstem motor system and the behavioral state system. At the highest levels CNS structures are grouped on the basis of dissection and embryologic precursors into cerebrum ( cerebral cortex and cerebral nuclei ), cerebellum, and cerebrospinal trunk.