Neuroanatomy - The Diencephalon, Basal Ganglia and Cerebral Cortex

Question 1

What are the key structures of the diencephalon?

Answer 1

The thalamus and hypothalamus

Question 2

What are some of the important connections and functions of the thalamus?

Answer 2

Has many connections to the hippocampus via the mammillothalamic tract and it connected to the cerebral cortex via thalamocortical radiations.
Functions include the regulation of sleep, consciousness and alertness as well as relaying motor and sensory signals to the cerebral cortex

Question 3

What are some of the important connections and functions of the hypothalamus?

Answer 3

Hypothalamus links the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. It releases hormones, regulates body temperature and sleep

Question 4

Role of the corpus callosum

Answer 4

Divides the cerebral cortex fibres into left and right hemispheres and allows for communication between the two lobes

Question 5

Role of the septum pellucidum

Answer 5

Separates the anterior horns of the left and right ventricles and runs as a sheet from the corpus callosum to the fornix

Question 6

Role of the fornix

Answer 6

C shaped bundle of nerve fibres that acts as the major output tract of the hippocampus

Question 7

Role of the anterior commissure

Answer 7

Bundles of crossing fibres that connects the olfactory bulb and parts of the cerebrum to the same structures on the opposite side. Important roles in pain sensation, smell and chemoreception

Question 8

Role of the posterior commissure

Answer 8

Rounded band of white fibres that cross the midline on the dorsal aspect of the upper part of the cerebral aqueduct. Important in bilateral pupillary light reflex

Question 9

Role of the interthalamic adhesion

Answer 9

A flattened band of tissue that connects both parts of the thalamus to their medial surfaces

Question 10

Corona mediata

Answer 10

A white matter sheet that continues ventrally as the internal capsule and dorsally as the centrum semiovale

Question 11

Interventricular foramen

Answer 11

Channel that connects the paired lateral ventricles with the third ventricles at the midline

Question 12

Epithalamus

Answer 12

Dorsal part of the diencephalon that connects the limbic system to the other parts of the brain. Secretes melatonin, secretes hormones, regulates motor pathways and motion