Chapter 6

Question 1

Diencephalon (4 parts)

Answer 1

Thalamus
Epithalamus
Subthalamus
hypothalamus

Question 2

thalamus

Answer 2

3x1.5 cm
Lies beneath the cortex in each hemisphere along the midsaggital line
Consists of a collection of subcortical nuclei

Question 3

Thalamus functions

Answer 3

Serves three important functions

Channel the projections of sensory information to specific cortical areas
Integrate sensorimotor information from the basil ganglia, cerebellum to the primary and premotor cortex
Mediate cognitive functions

Question 4

Thalamic nuclei

Answer 4

Medial (mediodorsal)
Lateral
Ventral

Each tier contains multiple nuclei

Question 5

Medial nuclear complex

Answer 5

Integrates visceral information with affect emotions, though processes and decision making and judgment

Question 6

Lateral nuclear complex

Answer 6

Integrating and transcoding multiple sensory modalities underlying higher mental functions
Contributes to language functions; formulation, language processing, lexical properties, reading and writing

Question 7

Ventral nuclear complex

Answer 7

Facilitates skilled movements
Initiates voluntary movements
Coordinates and integrates voluntary motor functions
Relays somatosensory sensation from face, neck, trunk and extremities
Relays visual information
Relays auditory information

Question 8

epithalamus

Answer 8

Habenular nucleus

Pineal gland

Question 9

Habenular nuclei

Answer 9

Afferent and efferent projections to the anterior hypothalamus, orbital cortex and brainstem
Serves autonomic functions and possibly the sense of smell

Question 10

Pineal gland

Answer 10

Endocrine structure
Inhibitory function over sex gland functions
Secretes melatonin
Endocrine activity related to the sleep cycle

Question 11

subthalamus

Answer 11

Substantial contributions to motor functions
Lesion results in hemiballism, a motor disorder characterized by sudden involuntary movements that disappear during sleep

Question 12

hypothalamus

Answer 12

Contains a tract that forms the crossroads among the limbic system, brainstem and thalamus
Neural and hormonal functions

Question 13

hypothalamus functions

Answer 13

Serves three important functions

Controlling center for the ANS
Regulating center of endocrine activities
Body temperature, food and water intake, sugar metabolism, sexual behavior and emotional states

Question 14

Thalamus lesion

Answer 14

Diabetes insipidus
Temperature control
Food and water intake
Hormonal disturbances

Question 15

Cognitive functions of thalamus

Answer 15

Sensorimotor processes that underlie speech and language processing
Overall cortical alertness
Thalamic syndrome

Question 16

Thalamic syndrome

Answer 16

Disorder of somatosensory functions

Increased or decreased thresholds for sensations of touch, pain and temperature on the contralateral half of the body

Question 17

Language problems related to the thalamus

Answer 17

Emotional instability
Dysarthria
Anomia
Reading and writing disorders