Efferent connections of the nucleus lateralis posterior-pulvinar complex in the cat.

The nucleus lateralis posterior-pulvinar complex of the thalamus displays an integrative function. The efferent connections of this nuclear group were examined by the authors in the cat. In their work, they utilized also the earlier observations on the afferent connections of the nucleus. The nuclear complex projects to the associative fields encompassed by the visual- and the acoustic cortex without intruding into the primary cortical areas. On the other hand, its afferent connections are, apart from the associative field, also yielded by the primary visual and acoustic cortex. All this is completed by the reciprocal connections of the LP-pulvinar complex with the visual- and acoustic system, as well as between the associative areas of the cortex.