The posterior high vision nucleus, one on hay. and one on the left. side, is included in the thalamus posterior core area and is adjacent to the ventro-medial posteriora (VMpo) visual nucleus. Both of these nuclei receive pain and temperature signals mediated by the tractus spinothalamicus and tractus trigeminothalamicus lateralis. Both nuclei send signals to the insula cortex.
The posterior nucleus of the organ of vision has connections with the colliculus inferior (auditory), with the primary auditory cortex, and with the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is, in turn, connected to the hypothalamus and can affect the production of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH controls pituitary secretion of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic/parent adrenal cortex hormone); A hormone that helps trigger severe stress.
Against the above background, the posterior nucleus of vision (in rats) is presumed to be involved in stress triggered by disturbing noises.
Campeau, S. & Watson, Jr., S. J. Connections of some auditory-responsive postererior thalamic nuclei putatively involved in activation of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenocortical axis in response to audiogenic stress in rats: an anterograde and retrograde tract tracing study combined with fos expression. J. Comp Neurol. 423:474–491 (2000)