Neuroanatomy lab navigation
The diencephalon is composed of the thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.
Thalamus
The thalamus is key structure that relays information to the cortex associated with motor and sensory information.
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- There are also thalamus nuclei that form the connections in the memory and emotion circuit from the hippocampal formation. This portion of the thalamus and hypothalamus will be described in the functional neurocircuitry of the limbic system lecture.
- Interthalamic adhesion.
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus contains key limbic-associated nuclear groups.
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- Infundibulum (this connecting stalk may be missing on brain specimens)
- Mammillary bodies: Receives information for hippocampal formation via the fornix and projects to the thalamus. This is part of Papez circuit described in the Limbic System lecture (Neuroanatomy and limbic system functions).
The optic chiasm [located anterior and ventral (inferior) to the hypothalamus].
Epithalamus
Identify the structures of the diencephalon on a mid-sagittal brain.
Hypothalamus (A in the figure)
Mammillary body (#2 in the figure)
Thalamus (B in the figure)
Interthalamic adhesion (#3 in the figure)
Epithalamus (C), with pineal gland (#4 in the figure)
Anterior commisure (#1 in the figure)
Interactive
What are each of these labeled parts?
Diencephalon components and associated structures.
Specimen from Neuroanatomy Collection, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
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