Diecephalon

Question 1

Location of thalamus and hypothalamus

Answer 1

• Thalamus is most medial, meaning central to the brain
• The hypothalamus is below the thalamus (sep/ by the hypothalamic sulcus)

Question 2

How is the thalamus a sensory relay station?

Answer 2

All sensory info (except for olfactory) reaches the Cerebral Cortex through a synaptic stop in:
- Lateral geniculate nuclus (visual info)
- Medial geniculate nucleus (auditory)

Note: different parts of the thalamus receive different sensory info => they’re specialized regions hence there are specific pathways depending on the sense!

Question 3

Hypothalamus

Answer 3

Controls the release of hormones (pituitary gland)

• Major visceral ccenter of the brain (organ related) functions, and limbic system functions
• regulation of body temp., emotional behavior (eg rage and aggression), food and water intake, sexual and sleep behavior