Diencephalon

Question 1

4 parts of diencephalon?

Answer 1

epithalamus
subthalamus
hypothalamus
thalamus

Question 2

where is epithalamus located? what two things does it contain and where are they?

Answer 2

posterior to thalamus

• contains pineal gland (an endocrine gland that secretes melatonin in darkness and plays a role in seasonal cycles)
• contains habenular nuclei (anterior to pineal gland) - relay for info from basal nuclei and limbic system to reticular formation

Question 3

where is subthalamus located?

Answer 3

• inferior to thalamus, lateral to hypothalamus
• medial to internal capsule (fiber bundle)
• important part of basal nuclei that determines appropriateness
  i. e. parkinsons have facial masking and lack of emotions because basal nuclei are telling them to not do anything because its all inapprorpriate.

Question 4

where is thalamus located? function?

Answer 4

• superior to the hypothalamic sulcus
• thalamus is the gateway to cerebral cortex “post office or distributor”
• all sensory pathways are relayed through here (also basal nuclei, cerebellum, limbic system)
• thalamus has many divisions: lateral, medial, anterior and posterior (i.e. ventral posterolateral nucleus)

Question 5

what is the only sensation that bypasses the thalamus?

Answer 5

olfaction

Question 6

lateral geniculate nucleus

Answer 6

relay nuclei of thalamus that relays visual info

Question 7

medial geniculate nucleus

Answer 7

relay nuclei of thalamus that relay auditory info