13.4 Diencephalon Flashcards
What makes up the diencephalon?
epithalamus, thalamus, and hypothalamus
Epithalamus
Posterior portion of the diencephalon
Houses the habenular nuclei and pineal gland
Pineal body
Endocrine gland
Secretes melatonin- which helps regulate the circadian rhythm.
Habenular nuclei
Relay signals from the limbic system to the midbrain.
Involved in visceral and emotional responses to smell.
Thalamus
Forms the superolateral walls of the third ventricle.
Viewed midsagitally, it is located between the anterior commissure and the pineal gland.
Interthalmic adhesion
Small mass fo grey matter that connects the right and left thalamus regions.
Principal and final relay point for incoming sensory information that is processed and then projected to the appropriate lobe of the cerebral cortex.
Acts as an information filter.
Hypothalamus
Anteroinferior region of diencephalon
Master control of autonomic nervous system- heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and digestion
Master control of endocrine system- Produces antidiuretic and oxytocin hormone- stored in posterior pituitary
Body temp regulation- control mechanisms that heat and cool the body.
Controls food intake- controls emotional responses like pleasure, aggression, fear, rage, contentment, and sex drive.
Hypothalamus- anterior nucleus
thirst center, autonomic control center
Hypothalamus- actuate nucleus
Regulates appetite, release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, release of growth hormone-releasing hormone, and release of prolactin inhibiting hormone
Hypothalamus- Mammillary body
Directs sensation related to olfaction; controls swallowing
Hypothalamus- Paraventricular nucleus
Produces oxytocin primarily
Hypothalamus- Preoptic area
thermostat (regulates body temperature)
Hypothalamus- Suprachiasmatic nucleus
regulates circadian rhythm
Hypothalamus- Ventromedial nucleus
“Satiety center” (produces hunger and satiety sensation)
