Diencephalon

Question 1

What are the Anatomical Components of the Diencephalon?

Answer 1

Thalamus
Epithalamus
Subthalamus
Hypothalamus

Question 2

Thalamus Functions (4)

Answer 2

1. Processes sensory inputs
2. Relays sensory inputs selectively to areas in the cerebral cortex
3. Regulates sleep and consciousness
4. Provides sensory feedback to the motor system, basal ganglia, & cerebellum

Question 3

70-80% of humans have an interthalamic adhesion called?

Answer 3

Massa Intermedia

Question 4

What divides the thalamus?

Answer 4

Internal Medullary Lamina

Question 5

How many Major Subdivisions of the Thalamus, what are they?

Answer 5

1. Anterior Region
2. Ventro Lateral Region
3. Medial Region
4. Posterior Region (Pulvinar)

Question 6

[Anterior Thalamic Nuclei]

How many nuclei does it have?
Function?
Where does it receive major input from?

Answer 6

Only One

Uncertain Role, probably with emotions and memory

Receives input from

• Mammillary Nuclei of Hypothalamus
• Presubiculum of the Hippocampal Formation

Question 7

[Medial Thalamic Nuclei]

How many subdivisions
Where does it receive inputs?
Function?

Answer 7

3 Subdivisions, each with connections to parts of the frontal cortex

Receives inputs from:

1. Portions of the Basal Ganglia
2. Amygdala
3. Midbrain

Memory

Question 8

How many ventral nuclei are there?

Names?

Answer 8

3

Ventral Anterior Nucleus
Ventral Lateral Nucleus
Ventral Posterior Nucleus

Question 9

Where does the Ventral Lateral Nucleus receive inputs?

Answer 9

Substantia Nigra
Globus Pallidus
Cerebellum

Question 10

Where does the Ventral Lateral Nucleus send inputs?

Answer 10

Primary motor cortex and premotor cortex

Question 11

Function: Ventral Lateral Nucleus

Answer 11

Learning of movements

Question 12

Where does the Ventral Anterior Nucleus receive inputs?

Answer 12

Substantia Nigra

Globus Pallidus

Question 13

Where does the Ventral Anterior Nucleus send inputs?

Answer 13

Supplementary Motor Cortex

Question 14

Function: Ventral Anterior Nucleus

Answer 14

Planning movements
Initiates wanted movements
Inhibits unwanted movements

Question 15

Where does the Ventral Postero-Medial Nucleus receive inputs?

Answer 15

Solitary Tract

Trigeminal nerve via Trigeminal Lemniscus and Trigeminothalamic Tract

Question 16

Function: Medial Geniculate Nucleus

Answer 16

Relays auditory impulses from inferior colliculus to auditory cortex

Question 17

Function: Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

Answer 17

Processes visual inputs from retina via the optic nerve

Sends projections to the primary visual cortex via the optic radiations (geniculo-calcarine/geniculostriate pathway)

Question 18

What is the most posterior nucleus of the Thalamus?

Answer 18

Pulvinar

Question 19

4 Subnuclei of the Pulvinar and Where they Project

Answer 19

Lateral :: visual cortical association areas
Inferior :: visual cortical association areas
Oral :: somatosensory cortical association areas
Medial :: cingulate, posterior parietal & prefrontal cortices


Question 20

Parts of the Epithalamus (3)

Answer 20

Habenula
Stria Medullaris
Pineal Gland

Question 21

Other name for Pineal Gland

Answer 21

Epiphysis

Question 22

Function: Pineal Gland

Answer 22

Produces Melatonin

Question 23

Parts of Subthalamus (4)

Answer 23

Subthalamic Nucleus of Luys
Zona Incerta
Reticular Nucleus of the Thalamus
Fields of Forel

Question 24

Parts of Hypothalamus (3)

Answer 24

Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Mammillary Body

Question 25

Hypothalamic Boundaries: Anterior Posterior Superior Inferior

Answer 25

Anterior – Optic chiasm & anterior commissure Posterior – Mammillary bodies Superior – Hypothalamic sulci Inferior – Hypophysis