Diencephalon

The midbrain is divided into thalamus, epithalamus, subthalamus, metathalamus and hypothalamus. Read more about it!

Diencephalon

The diencephalon (Diencephalon), which lies between the cerebrum (brain) and the midbrain. It performs extremely diverse and important tasks: it is part of the brainstem, the diencephalon acts as a "gateway to consciousness," is important for endocrine and vegetative control, affects the sleep-wake cycle, and more. Read all important information about the diencephalon: function, distribution, disorders!

What is the diencephalon?

The diencephalon develops during embryonic development from a lower extension of the forebrain vesicle of the neural tube. The cavity, which surrounds the interbrain vesicles, then forms in the course of the inter-brain part of the third ventricle, which he encloses; the thickened sidewalls become the thalamus (visual hillock because it has a relation to the central visual pathway) and the pallidum of the lens nucleus (belongs to the basal ganglia).

The diencephalon is divided into five areas:

thalamus

The thalamus is a ganglia mass that is the actual gateway to consciousness. Read more about this part of the diencephalon in the article Thalamus.

hypothalamus

Below the thalamus lies the hypothalamus. Find out more about him in the article Hypothalamus.

epithalamus

The epithalamus is located in the posterior part of the diencephalon and above the thalamus. It is composed, among other things, of the pineal gland (epiphysis) and the habenulae (epiphyseal stems), which connect the epiphysis with the thalamus.

Another area of ​​the epithalamus contains numerous nuclei, of which seven nuclei on both sides receive afferents from the retina (retina of the eye).

subthalamus

The subthalamus consists primarily of the subthalamic nucleus and the pallidum - two basal ganglia that belong to the extrapyramidal motor system.

metathalamus

The metathalamus includes the two knees (corpus geniculatum mediale et lateral).

What is the function of the diencephalon?

The diencephalon fulfills a variety of tasks in its various areas:

The Thalamus is the collection point for all sensory impressions, with the exception of the sense of smell, which are switched here on the way to the cerebral cortex. He decides which sensory impressions from the environment and the organism should penetrate consciousness.

The hypothalamus controls the endocrine functions and the production of neurohormones. Respiratory, circulatory, metabolic, food and fluid intake, body temperature, sexual behavior and sleep-wake rhythms are regulated in this interbrain region. All the emotions associated with these multiple functions are also anchored in this area of ​​the diencephalon.

The pineal gland as part of the epithalamus in the posterior part of the diencephalon produces the tissue hormone melatonin. The production is subject to a daily rhythm and controls the day-night rhythm and also a seasonal rhythm. Kernels in habenulae are switching stations for the olfactory system, which connects the olfactory brain to the brain stem.

The nucleus of the epithalamus receives afferents from the retina of the eye (retina). He ensures that the pupils narrow in the light of incidence reflector.

The subthalamus is primarily responsible for the control of gross motor skills. The subthalamic nucleus communicates with the pallidum and receives from it signals which have a movement-inhibiting function.

Neurons, coming from the cochlear dorsal nucleus, run across the rhomboid pit to the medial cleft of the knee, and the central auditory pathway moves from here to the auditory cortex. All visual and hearing impressions are switched in the two cusps of the interphalbum on the way to the visual cortex and auditory cortex. The function of these switching cores is, in particular, to modify the continuity of incoming excitations in such a way that - with concentrated attention - some sensory impressions are perceived more strongly and others less.

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Where is the diencephalon?

Between the two frontal lobes (frontal lobes) and the two temporal lobes (temporal lobes) of the cerebrum and the front edge of the bridge (pons) is the lower part of the diencephalon, which rests on the middle fossa. In front in the middle, between the two brain legs and at the base of the brainstem, there are two hemispheres, (Corpus mamillare).

The epithalamus, the posterior part of the diencephalon, lies directly on the thalamus.

What problems can the diencephalon cause?

A diencephal-autonomic crisis is characterized by atypical epileptic seizures caused by diseases of the hypothalamus.

Gliomas (emanating from the cell tissue of the nervous system tumors) in the diencephalon cause a strong mental slowing, loss of interest by a reduction of the emotions and an increased need for sleep.

Damage to the subthalamic nucleus in the subthalamus leads to the clinical picture of ballism. It is characterized by rapid, spontaneous, hurling movements of the extremities. The disorder usually occurs only on one side, on the opposite side of the injury (hemiballism). Dysphagia and speech disorders such as repetition of words and phrases, slurred speech also indicate a disturbance in this area.

The electrical stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in the subthalamus is used therapeutically to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

A failure of the pallidum in the thalamus in diencephalon causes muscle stiffness and associated with a reduction in motor skills. Diseases that underlie such a disorder are Parkinson's disease, Littlesche's disease and Wilson's disease.
Diencephalon

FAQ - 💬

❓ What are the 3 parts of the diencephalon?

👉 The three segments of the diencephalon are called prosomere 3, prosomere 2, and prosomere 1, from rostral to caudal. Each of the three prosomeres has alar and basal components, of which the alar parts are most prominent.

❓ What 2 structures make up the diencephalon?

👉 The diencephalon is located between the cerebrum and the brain stem. It consists of the thalamus, the hypothalamus, the subthalamus and the epithalamus.

❓ Where is diencephalon function?

👉 The diencephalon relays sensory information between brain regions and controls many autonomic functions of the peripheral nervous system. This section of the forebrain also connects structures of the endocrine system with the nervous system and works with the limbic system to generate and manage emotions and memories.

❓ What is controlled by the diencephalon?

👉 The diencephalon 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 (the sleep wake cycle).

❓ What is the diencephalon also called?

👉 The diencephalon (or interbrain) is a division of the forebrain (embryonic prosencephalon). It is situated between the telencephalon and the midbrain (embryonic mesencephalon). The diencephalon has also been known as the 'tweenbrain in older literature.

❓ What is the largest part of the diencephalon?

👉 The largest part of the diencephalon is the thalamus, the "gateway to the cerebral cortex." The thalamus is a sensory relay center, it receives signals from every sensory system except the olfactory system and sends it to the associated primary cerebral cortex for processing.

❓ What does diencephalon contain?

👉 The diencephalon consists of the following structures:

  • Thalamus.
  • Hypothalamus including the posterior pituitary.
  • Epithalamus which consists of: Anterior and Posterior Paraventricular nuclei. Medial and lateral habenular nuclei. Stria medullaris thalami. Posterior commissure. Pineal body.
  • Subthalamus.

❓ Why is diencephalon hidden?

👉 Diencephalon is positioned in the forebrain (prosencephalon). It cannot be seen from the outer brain point of view, as it is located under the cerebral hemispheres.

❓ What is diencephalon made of?

👉 The diencephalon is a small part of the brain that is mostly hidden from view when you are looking at the outside of the brain. It is divided into four parts: the epithalamus, thalamus, subthalamus, and hypothalamus.

❓ What happens when diencephalon is damaged?

👉 Diencephalic lesions can cause severe and long-lasting amnesia. Damage to certain nuclei and fiber systems within the diencephalon interrupt the flow of information between key memory structures.

❓ What are the 7 structures of the diencephalon?

👉 The diencephalon consists of the following structures:

  • Thalamus.
  • Hypothalamus including the posterior pituitary.
  • Epithalamus which consists of: Anterior and Posterior Paraventricular nuclei. Medial and lateral habenular nuclei. Stria medullaris thalami. Posterior commissure. Pineal body.
  • Subthalamus.

👉 The diencephalon is the brain region that gives rise to anterior forebrain structures. Some of these structures include the thalamus, hypothalamus, posterior portion of the pituitary gland, and pineal gland. The diencephalon also encloses a cavity called the third ventricle.

👉 The diencephalon along with the cerebral cortex and brain lobes make up the forebrain. The other two parts are the midbrain and hindbrain. The midbrain is where the brain stem starts and connects the forebrain to the hindbrain.

👉 The encephalon is the part that’s furthest back in the skull and contains one of the main brain structures: the diencephalon. This structure is involved in the control of affective behavior, the regulation of consciousness, the autonomic nervous system, sleep, and other factors. Let’s delve a little deeper into this. The diencephalon: what is it?

👉 If you were to look at a brain, you would not be able to see the diencephalon in the forebrain because it is mostly hidden from view. It is a small portion nestled under and between the two cerebral hemispheres, located just above the brain stem .


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