Medial geniculate nucleus

The medial geniculate nucleus is a nucleus of the thalamus that acts as a relay for auditory information. It receives its input from the inferior colliculus and sends information out to the auditory cortex.

Relationship to auditory system
This nucleus is part of the thalamic relay system, even though it is located in the rostral midbrain and not the diencephalon (1). This nucleus is organized into three separate layers, and maintains the tonotopic organization of most other preceding nuclei. Most functions of the inferior colliculus are preserved, and are relayed to the auditory cortex.