1.2 Gross Neuroanatomy: Diencephalon Flashcards
Which ventricle of the brain can be found in the diencephalon?
Third
Which structures can be found in the diencephalon?
- Thalamus
- Hypothalamus
- Subthalamus
- Epithalamus
What are the two components of the epithalamus?
- Pineal gland (melatonin)
- Habenula
The subthalamus lies between the ____ and the _____
Thalamus and the midbrain
All major sensory pathways relay in the thalamus before reaching the cortex, except one. Which is the exception?
Olfaction
Other than sensory pathways, what other systems do the thalami connect to?
Extrapyramidal motor system, limbic system
The largest division of the subthalamus is involved with the integration of ____ function.
Motor function.
Which ventricle does the thalamus form the lateral walls of?
The third ventricle
The dorsal surface of the thalamus is the floor of the…
Lateral ventricle
Laterally, the thalamus limits with a white matter tract known as the…
Internal capsule
What are the two structures that make up the white matter of the thalamus?
Internal and external medullary laminae
The Y-shaped internal medullary laminae separates the thalamus into three sections. What are these sections?
Anterior, medial, and lateral thalamus
What does the hypothalamus control?
(DEAL)
Drives: hunger, thirst, sex, sleep
Endocrine Function
Autonomic Function
Limbic mechanisms
The body constantly tends toward homeostasis. What determines the homeostatic set points of specific physiological processes?
The discharge rates of neurons that are dedicated to each process (e.g. HR, temp, etc.). The greatest concentration of these nuclei is in the hypothalamus.
What are circumventricular organs? What is their function?
These are sites surrounding the hypothalamus at which the BBB is more permeable and there are specific transporters. As such, chemosensory stimuli can be transferred into the hypothalamus, aiding in homeostatic regulation.
