Diencephalon

Synonyms in the broadest sense

Diencephalon

introduction

The diencephalon as part of the brain is located between the endbrain (cerebrum) and the brain stem.
Its components are:

• Thalamus
• Epithalamus (epi = on it)
• Subthalamus (sub = under) with Globus pallidus (Pallidum)
• Hypothalamus (hypo = below, less)

Thalamus

The egg-shaped paired thalamus is the largest and, together with the hypothalamus, the most important of these structures in the diencephalon and is located in the center of the brain. It limits the III. Ventricle; The caudate nucleus runs above it, below which one finds the hypo- and subthalamus and the midbrain. Above the III. The epithalamus is located in the ventricle, while the thalamus is composed of several nuclei and medullary lamellae. The pineal gland (epiphysis, glandula pinealis) as part of the epithalamus is located at its posterior pole.

Illustration brain

Cerebrum (1st - 6th) = endbrain -
Telencephalon (Cerembrum)

1. Frontal lobe - Frontal lobe
2. Parietal lobe - Parietal lobe
3. Occipital lobe -
   Occipital lobe
4. Temporal lobe -
   Temporal lobe
5. Bar - Corpus callosum
6. Lateral ventricle -
   Lateral ventricle
7. Midbrain - Mesencephalon
   Diencephalon (8th and 9th) -
   Diencephalon
8. Pituitary gland - Hypophysis
9. Third ventricle -
   Ventriculus tertius
10. Bridge - Pons
11. Cerebellum - Cerebellum
12. Midbrain aquifer -
    Aqueductus mesencephali
13. Fourth ventricle - Ventriculus quartus
14. Cerebellar hemisphere - Hemispherium cerebelli
15. Elongated Mark -
    Myelencephalon (Medulla oblongata)
16. Big cistern -
    Cisterna cerebellomedullaris posterior
17. Central canal (of the spinal cord) -
    Central canal
18. Spinal cord - Medulla spinalis
19. External cerebral water space -
    Subarachnoid space
    (leptomeningeum)
20. Optic nerve - Optic nerve
    
    Forebrain (Prosencephalon)
    = Cerebrum + diencephalon
    (1.-6. + 8.-9.)
    Hindbrain (Metencephalon)
    = Bridge + cerebellum (10th + 11th)
    Hindbrain (Rhombencephalon)
    = Bridge + cerebellum + elongated medulla
    (10. + 11. + 15)
    Brain stem (Truncus encephali)
    = Midbrain + bridge + elongated medulla
    (7. + 10. + 15.)

You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations

Subthalamus

Of the Subthalamus contains among other things the Globus palliduswhich, from a developmental point of view, belongs to the diencephalon.

Hypothalamus

Of the Hypothalamus forms the base of the diencephalon under the floor of the III. Ventricle. Before that one finds the junction of the optic nerves (Optic chiasm), behind the pituitary stalk with transition to the pituitary gland (pituitary gland). The hypothalamus is divided into different areas, which contain typical nuclei with vegetative functions. The bean-shaped Pituitary gland is divided into neurohypophysis and adenohypophysis, with the neurohypophysis making up the posterior part and the adenohypophysis making up the anterior part of the pituitary gland. Only the neurohypophysis belongs to the diencephalon, the adenohypophysis is not part of the brain, as it is made up of the so-called Rathke bag which is part of the ectoderm, one of three cotyledons in embryonic development.

The structures mentioned - with the exception of the pituitary gland once created - can also be found twice (left and right) in the brain (diencephalon).

function

Of the Thalamus As the largest part of the diencephalon, it fulfills a variety of functions in the brain. All information for the terminal cortex is switched in it. For one thing, he's on limbic systeminvolved in processes of well-being and mood, in visual, hearing and smell processes, and on the other hand in motor processes. The thalamus is also referred to as "Gateway to Consciousness", because it transmits sensory information to the cerebral cortex and this is how it is made conscious.
Of the Epithalamus (Diencephalon) is with the limbic system, the olfactory system, nuclei of the secretion processes of the mouth and vegetative centers of the Brain stem interconnected. The Epiphysis as part of the epithalamus represents a gland that contains the hormone Melatonin forms and releases. In addition, it affects the sympathetic nervous system and the Control of the day-night rhythm.
Of the Subthalamus (Diencephalon) as part of the brain includes in its function that motor systemas well as the one belonging to him Globus pallidus, which as a motor center is part of the Basal ganglia loop represents.
Of the Hypothalamus has an impact on a wide range of body processes. These include regeneration, power, the Daily rhythm, the female cycle, Food and water intake included Satiety. In addition, the hypothalamus regulates sweating, organ activity and tremors, and various hormones are formed: Endogenous opiates, antidiuretic hormone (ADH), Oxytocin and Control hormones that act on the adenohypophysis (Liberins, statins). It is possible to influence these different processes via connections between the hypothalamus and the limbic system, Brain stem and pituitary gland.