Dual somatosensory representation of the periodontium in nucleus ventralis posteromedialis of the cat thalamus.

The distribution of periodontal units within the nucleus ventralis posteromedialis (VPM) was studied in urethane-chloralose-anesthetized cats. Recordings were made from a total of 63 periodontal units. Of these, 55 received contralateral input, the rest receiving ipsilateral input. The periodontal units receiving contralateral inputs were located in the medial part of the VPM proper, whereas those receiving ipsilateral inputs were found in the lateral subdivision of the nucleus ventralis posteromedialis parvocellularis (VPMpcl).