diencephalon

• Diencephalon - part between the brain stem and the cerebrum that is involved in many crucial bodily functions
• Including coordinating with the endocrine system to release hormones, relaying sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex, and regulating circadian rhythms
• Circadian rhythms - the sleep wake cycle
• Diencephalon

  • Thalamus
  • Hypothalamus
  • Subthalamus
  • Epithalamus
• Thalamus - Body's information relay station
• Subthalamus - Involved in movement regulation
• Epithalamus - Pineal gland secretes melatonin for the sleep cycle
• Hypothalamus - Controls vital functions such as hunger and thirst