Forebrain

Question 0

Diencephalon

Answer 0

Thalamus and Hypothalamus

Question 1

Forebrain

Answer 1

• most anterior portion of t he brain - two divisions: Diencephalon (part of Brain Stem) & Telencephalon (the rest)

Question 2

Thalamus

Answer 2

• paired central structures atop midbrain
• Primary source of input to Cerebral Cortex
• most sensory and motor systems (except olfaction) have nuclei here, project to visual, auditory, motor, etc. cortex
• other nuclei, many involved in arousal of cortex, have widespread cortical projections
• also includes intrinsic neurons for info processing within Thalamus

Question 3

Hypothalamus (“hypo” = “low, below”)

Answer 3

• small structure with many nuclei, just ventral to Thalamus
• oversees “4 Fs” = Feeding, Fighting, Fleeing, and Fucking (critical survival functions)
• Also TEMP and CLOCK - via neural and hormonal connections to, esp Autonomic Nervous System
• controls Endrocrine (hormone) systems via affect on adjacent Pituitary Gland (the “Master Gland”)
• produces “releasing hormones” that flow via veins to Anterior Pituitary stimulating that gland to release
• produces other hormones sent (like NTs) via AXONS to POSTERIOR PITUITARY, then circulate into bloodstream