Diencephalon Structures

Diencephalon

Function:
• Thalamic nuclei relay sensory information to cerebral cortex
• Hypothalamic nuclei maintain homeostasis
• Epithalamus includes pineal gland (produces melatonin

Thalamus

Function:
• Primarily for relay of sensory information to cortex
• Relay of motor information for movement planning

Thalamus

Hypothalamus

Function:
• Considered master control center for endocrine system
• Secretes releasing and inhibiting hormones that control anterior pituitary gland
• Produces hormones that are transported to and stored in posterior pituitary gland
• Controls autonomic nervous system
• Regulates body temperature, food, and water intake
• Regulates emotional behavior
• Maintains sleep/wake cycle

Hypothalamus

Optic Chiasma

Description:
• White matter tract composed of axons of retinal ganglion cells from both eyes traveling to thalamus and other brainstem nuclei
• Some axons from each retina decussate (cross) in chiasm to enter opposite optic tract

Optic Chiasma

Pituitary gland

Pituitary gland

Function:
• Anterior pituitary produces the following hormones: thyroid-stimulating (TSH), prolactin (PRL), adrenocorticotropic (ACTH), growth (GH), luteinizing (LH), melanocyte-stimulating (MSH), and follicle-stimulating (FSH)
• Posterior pituitary stores and releases: antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin (OT)

Pineal Body