Which structure in the brain is primarily responsible for relaying motor and sensory signals to the cerebral cortex?

The thalamus is the correct answer because it acts as a critical relay station for sensory and motor signals in the brain. It processes information coming from various sensory modalities, such as vision, hearing, touch, and taste, and then transmits this information to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex for further processing. This function is vital for the integration of sensory information and motor coordination, which are essential for perception and voluntary movement.

The hippocampus primarily plays a key role in memory formation and spatial navigation, not in relaying signals. The cerebellum is crucial for motor control, coordination, and balance, but it does not act as a relay station for sensory signals to the cerebral cortex. The hypothalamus is involved in regulating various autonomic functions and homeostasis, such as temperature control and hormonal secretion, rather than sensory and motor signal relaying.