Week 3: The Diencephalon

Question 1

cerebellum and it’s location.

Answer 1

the cerebellum is a highly folded area ( for increased surface area for neurons, half of the brain’s neurons are in the cerebellum ). it is located at the back of the brain beneath the occipital lobe of the cerebrum.

Question 2

how is the cerebellum attached to the brainstem ?

Answer 2

the cerebellum is attached to the brainstem by 3 pairs of nerve fiber bundles called cerebellar peduncles. these peduncles provide the communication pathway between the cerebellum and different parts of the brainstem.

Question 3

superior cerebellar peduncle connects the cerebellum to ?

Answer 3

connects the cerebellum to the midbrain.

Question 4

middle cerebellar peduncle connects the cerebellum to ?

Answer 4

connects the cerebellum to the pons.

Question 5

inferior cerebellar peduncle connects the cerebellum to ?

Answer 5

connects the cerebellum to the medulla oblongata.

Question 6

what is the diencephalon ?

Answer 6

the diencephalon is located just above the brainstem and below the cerebral hemispheres. it is between the midbrain and the cerebral cortex. it consists mainly of gray matter.

Question 7

what does the diencephalon consist of ?

Answer 7

thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus.

Question 8

what is the thalamus and the function of the thalamus ?

Answer 8

the thalamus consists of two paired, oval shaped masses that together form the thalamus. there is also an intermediate mass that connects the two together and contains 7 nuclei. the thalamus relays sensory and motor information to other parts of the brain. it also processes information from the senses except smell.

Question 9

what is the hypothalamus and the function of the hypothalamus ?

Answer 9

the hypothalamus is a small region located just below the thalamus and above the brainstem. it plays a central role in maintaining homeostasis in the body.
- control of the autonomic nervous system: heart rate, bp, digestion, respiration.
- hormone production: controls the pituitary gland.
- regulating emotions and behavior
- regulating food/drink intake
- thermoregulation
- circadian rhythms (sleep-wake cycle)

Question 10

pineal gland ?

Answer 10

the pineal gland is a small, pea shaped endocrine gland located in the epithalamus. the primary function of the pineal gland is the production of the hormone melatonin which regulates the sleep-wake cycle.