8. DIENCHEPHALON

• What is the diencephalon situated between?

  Cerebrum and brain stem
• How many distinct components make up the diencephalon?

  Four distinct components
• Name the four components of the diencephalon.

  Thalamus, Subthalamus, Hypothalamus, Epithalamus
• What percentage of the diencephalon's mass does the thalamus occupy?

  80% of its total mass
• What are the two lobes of the thalamus called?

  Right and left thalamus
• What type of information does the thalamus relay to the cortex?

  Sensory information
• Which nucleus in the thalamus receives somatic sensory information?

  Ventral posterolateral nucleus
• What does the lateral geniculate nucleus relay?

  Visual information
• What type of information does the medial geniculate body relay?

  Auditory information
• How does the thalamus integrate motor information?


  By relaying information from cerebellum and basal ganglia
• What role do the anterior nuclei of the thalamus play?

  Regulate emotions and visceral functions
• What does the thalamic reticular nucleus influence?

  Focus and attention to sensory modalities
• Where is the subthalamus located?

  Below the thalamus
• What is the most prominent structure in the subthalamus?

  Subthalamic nucleus
• What does the subthalamus connect to?

  Globus pallidus
• Where does the hypothalamus lie in relation to the thalamus?

  Just beneath the thalamus
• What two structures appear on the inferior surface of the hypothalamus?

  Optic chiasm and mammillary bodies
• What is the function of the mammillary bodies?

  Involved in olfactory reflexes
• What does the hypothalamus control for physiological homeostasis?

  Equilibrium of body functions
• How does the hypothalamus regulate the autonomic nervous system?

  Controls blood pressure and respiration
• What behaviors are regulated by the hypothalamus?

  Fear, anger, and sexual pleasure
• What is the hypothalamus's role in the endocrine system?


  Controls hormone release by pituitary gland
• What is the size of the pituitary gland?

  Size of a pea
• How is the pituitary gland connected to the hypothalamus?

  By the infundibulum
• What is the primary function of the pituitary gland?


  Produces and stores hormones
• What hormone stimulates breast milk production?

  Prolactin
• What does growth hormone (GH) stimulate?

  Growth in childhood
• What does adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) stimulate?

  Cortisol production by adrenal glands
• What does thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) regulate?

  Thyroid hormones and metabolism
• What does luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulate in men and women?

  Testosterone production and ovulation
• What does follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) promote in men and women?

  Sperm production and egg development
• What does antidiuretic hormone (ADH) regulate?

  Water balance in the body
• What is the function of oxytocin?

  Causes milk flow during breastfeeding
• What is the most frequent type of pituitary disorder?

  Pituitary gland tumor
• What are the two types of pituitary tumors?

  Secretory and non-secretory tumors
• What problems can pituitary tumors cause?

  Hypersecretion, hyposecretion, mass effects
• What can cause hyposecretion of hormones?

  Non-secretory tumors, surgery, radiation
• Where is the epithalamus located?

  Above the thalamus
• What is the function of the pineal gland?

  Secretes melatonin for sleep regulation
• What role does the habenular nucleus play?

  Involved in emotional responses to odors