Diencephalon and brainstem - AMBOSS https://next.amboss.com/us/article/-60DnS#Zbce829cc1853a5a86dadca0...

Search… O

Diencephalon and brainstem Last updated: Sep 24, 2020

QBANK SESSION LEARNED

Summary

The diencephalon is the caudal part of the forebrain (prosencephalon) located between the
midbrain (mesencephalon) and the cerebrum (telencephalon). It consists of the thalamus,
hypothalamus, epithalamus, and subthalamus. The thalamus is the relay center for sensory
information. The hypothalamus regulates autonomic function and the endocrine system. The
epithalamus, which consists of the pineal gland, habenula, habenular commissure, and stria
medullaris, regulates the sleep-wake cycle. The subthalamus, which contains the
subthalamic nuclei, is part of the indirect basal ganglia circuit and is involved in the inhibition of
unnecessary movements. The brain stem is the caudal part of the brain and consists of the
midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. The brain stem regulates autonomic function
(respiration, circulation, lacrimation, salivation), controls visual and auditory reflexes, and
maintains vigilance. It is also a hub through which run all ascending sensory pathways,
descending motor pathways, and other local pathways of the central nervous system. The
limbic system is a group of brain pathways that consists of the amygdala, hypothalamus,
thalamus, hippocampus, and limbic cortex. These are involved in memory formation,
regulation of appetite and satiety, a�ention, emotional responses, and sexual arousal. The
ventricular system consists of four interconnected ventricles (a pair of lateral ventricles,
third ventricle, and fourth ventricle). It is involved in the production, transport, and drainage of
cerebrospinal fluid, which plays a role in waste removal and cushioning the brain.

NOTES FEEDBACK

Diencephalon

The diencephalon makes up the caudal part of the forebrain between the telencephalon and
midbrain. It consists of the hypothalamus, thalamus, epithalamus, and the subthalamus.

Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus functions as the central control center for the autonomic nervous system
and endocrine function. Its nuclei produce releasing hormones for the anterior pituitary and the

1 of 1 16/10/2020, 11:23