Distinct core thalamocortical pathways to central and dorsal primary auditory cortex

►A more narrow response tuning to sound frequency is observed in central versus dorsal primary auditory cortex (AI). ►The major feed-forward thalamic input to central and dorsal AI is from the ventral division of the medial geniculate body (MGBv). ►Separate populations of MGBv cells project to dorsal and central AI and are positioned at different rostral-to-caudal positions of thalamus. ►Frequency convergence appears to be broader in rostral versus caudal MGBv.