The
lateral geniculate nucleus (
LGN) (also called the
lateral geniculate body or
lateral geniculate complex) is a relay center in the
thalamus for the
visual pathway. It receives a major sensory input from the
retina. The LGN is the main central connection for the
optic nerve to the
occipital lobe. In humans, each LGN has six layers of neurons (grey matter) alternating with optic fibers (white matter).