Diencephalon Flashcards
1
Q
What is the diencephalon?
A
Located beneath the cerebral hemispheres
Contains the: Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Subthalamus and Epithalamus
Location of major motor and sensory synapses
2
Q
What is the thalamus and its major functioning?
A
- Acts as a [major processing station] for the majority of information that projects to the cerebral cortex.
- Receives information from the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and all sensory pathways save for the olfactory tract.
- Relays information received to the appropriate association cortex
3
Q
What is the major functioning of the hypothalamus?
A
- Receiving and integrating information from the ANS.
- Assists in the regulation of hormones.
- Controls: hunger, thirst, sexual behavior, and sleeping
- Regulates: body temperature, and adrenal and pituitary glands.
4
Q
What impairments are a result of damage to the hypothalamus?
A
- Obesity
- Sexual Disinterest
- Poor temperature regulation
- Diabetes Insipidus
5
Q
What impairments are are a result of damage to the thalamus?
A
- Damage to the thalamus leads to thalamic pain syndrome, Contralateral side of the body to a thalamic lesion.
- Spontaneous type of pain
6
Q
What is the Subthalamus and its major functioning?
A
- Primary represent by the subthalamic nucleus
- Important for movement regulation of the skeletal muscles
- Has association with the substantia nigra and the basal ganglia
7
Q
What is the Epithalamus and its major functioning?
A
- Primary represented by the Pineal Gland
- secretes melatonin and is involved with the circadian rhythm
- Associated with the limbic system and the basal ganglia
Pineal Gland = Epithalamus = Melatonin Secretion = Circadian Rhythm
