thal·a·mus 
(thălə-məs)
(thălə-məs)n. pl. thal·a·mi (-mī′)
A large ovoid mass of gray matter situated in the posterior part of the forebrain that relays sensory impulses to the cerebral cortex.
[Latin, inner chamber, from Greek thalamos.]
tha·lamic (thə-lămĭk) adj.