The thalamus of the brain is often known as the relay system ofthe brain. It is located in the forebrain superior to the midbrain.Information from the body (except that of the olfactory nerve-senseof smell) is sent first to the thalamus, which relays thatinformation to the correct location in the cerebral cortex of thebrain. It is also involved with the basal ganglion, whichcoordinates movements.