Which of these structures is NOT typically associated with cognition and motor functions?

The thalamus is primarily known as a relay station for sensory information, acting as a hub that processes and transmits information to various cortical areas. While it plays a crucial role in sensory perception and regulation of wakefulness and sleep, its primary functions do not directly involve higher cognitive processes or the coordination of voluntary motor functions like the other structures listed.

In contrast, the frontal lobe is essential for higher cognitive functions, including decision-making, problem-solving, and voluntary motor activity. The parietal lobe integrates sensory information and is involved in spatial orientation and motor coordination. The basal ganglia, a group of nuclei in the brain, are primarily associated with the regulation of voluntary motor movements and procedural learning, as well as cognitive and emotional functions.

Thus, while the thalamus supports various brain functions, its primary role does not directly pertain to cognition or voluntary motor functions in the same way that the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, or basal ganglia do.