Diencephalon. Thalamus and epithalamus: definition, external features, relations, blood supply.

4th week 1st practical lesson

The diencephalon develops from the forebrain whose anterior part gives rise to the telencephalon. The diencephalon comprises a number of complex structures among which the hypothalamus, developing from its inferior wall, is the oldest, whereas the paired thalamus, forming from the lateral walls of the diencephalon, is the newest. A ventral thalamus and a thicker dorsal thalamus are distinguished. Another two regions, also diencephalon derivatives, are recognized in relation to the thalamus: the epithalamus and the metathalamus. The cavity of the diencephalon is the third ventricle. The thalamus is an eggshaped structure containing many nuclei which are centres of efferent conduction pathways. As is mentioned above, the thalamus develops from the lateral wall of the diencephalon where the optic vesicles project, and is a complex combination of the white and grey matter. Its medial surface protrudes into the cavity of the third ventricle and forms its lateral wall; this surface bears the hypothalamic sulcus separating the thalamus from the hypothalamus. The dorsal surface of the thalamus carries an anterior tubercle. Between the tubercle and the corresponding anterior column of the fornix is the interventricular foramen. A proeminence called the pulvinar is found on the posterior surface of the thalamus; lateral and slightly posterior to it are two small eminences, the geniculate bodies which are related to the metathalamus. The corpus striatum is located laterally and slightly to the front of the thalamus; it is bounded by a layer of the white matter called the internal capsule The superior surface of the thalamus is free and forms a portion of the floor of the central part of the lateral ventricle.

 The grey matter of the thalamus forms nuclei: (1) the anterior nuclei of the thalamus located in the anterior tubercle are represented by (a) the anterodorsal, (b) the anteroventral and (c) the anteromedial nucleus (2) the medial nuclei of the thalamus found at the medial surface of the thalamus including: (a) the anterior and posterior paraventricular nuclei (b) the rhomboid nucleus (c) the reuniens nucleus (d) the dorsal medial nucleus which lies separately

(3) the ventrolateral nuclei of the thalamus which are largest and located laterally to the anterior and medial nuclei and are as follows: (a) the posterior lateral nucleus (b) the dorsal lateral nucleus c) the anterior ventral nucleus (d) the lateral ventral nucleus (e) the medial ventral nucleus (f) the posterior ventral nuclei represented by the posterolateral ventral nucleus and the posteromedial ventral nucleus

 (4) the intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus which are small structures lodged in the medullary laminae and include (a) the central median nucleus (b) the paracentral nucleus (c) the parafascicular nucleus (d) the central lateral nucleus and (e)the central medial nucleus (5) the posterior nuclei of the thalamus located in the pulvinar; (6) the subthalamic nucleus which lies in the lower part of the anterior thalamus and is a collection of grey matter pierced by fibres (7) the reticular nuclei of the thalamus located in the anterior thalamus (8) the zona incerta which lies in the anterior thalamus next to the reticular nuclei.

 All the main nuclei listed above, except for the nuclei in the pulvinar, are separated from one another and divided into smaller nuclei by medullary laminae. An external medullary lamina of the thalamus and an internal medullary lamina of the thalamus are distinguished.

 The epithalamus consists of the following structures: (a) the pineal body which is an endocrine (ductless) gland developing from the posterior area of the roof of the diencephalon; (b) the habenula, which consists of the trigonum habenulae and the habenular commissure is separated from the superior quadrigeminal bodies by the habenular sulcus, and contains in its depths the medial and lateral nuclei (c) the epithalamic (posterior) commissure. These structures contribute to the formation of the walls of the third ventricle.

 The metathalamus is made up of paired structures, the medial geniculate body and the lateral geniculate body. These are elongated oval elevations lying inferolateral to the pulvinar Each geniculate body contains a collection of grey matter forming the nucleus of the medial geniculate body and the nucleus of the lateral geniculate body. These nuclei have dorsal parts lying in the metathalamus, and ventral parts located in the anterior thalamus.

The hypothalamus corresponds in position to the anteroinferior area of the diencephalon and lies below the thalamus under the hypothalamic sulcus Some of its structures can also be seen on the inferior aspect of the cerebrum between its peduncles, in front of the pons. This area includes the mamillary bodies, each containing two collections of grey matter. One collection lies medially and is called the medial nucleus of the mamillary body ; the other is smaller, lies laterally and is called the lateral nucleus of the mamillary body. Most of the fibres of the fornix end in them. The subthalamic nucleus is also related to this area; this is a collection of grey matter pierced by fibres and located in the posteroinferior parts. Besides, the hypothalamus contains a collection of 32 pairs of nuclei which are subdivided into anterior, medial, and posterior groups. Some of them are connected with the hypophysis cerebri.

 The nuclei of these groups correlate the parasympathetic and sympathetic functions. The following nuclei are distinguished: the supraoptic nucleus, the paraventricular nucleus, the inferomedial nucleus, the superomedial nucleus, the posterior nucleus, the tuberal nuclei and the subthalamic nucleus The optic part of the hypothalamus includes the tuber cinereum, the infundibulum which is the narrowest part of the cavity formed by the walls of the tuber cinereum, and the hypophysis cerebri The optic chiasma with the optic tracts are related to this part of the hypothalamus