Diencephalon
Encyclopedia
The diencephalon is the region of the vertebrate neural tube
which gives rise to posterior forebrain structures. In development, the forebrain develops from the prosencephalon
, the most anterior vesicle
of the neural tube which later forms both the diencephalon and the telencephalon
.
that gives rise to posterior forebrain structures including the thalamus
, hypothalamus
, posterior portion of the pituitary gland
, and pineal gland
. The hypothalamus performs numerous vital functions, most of which relate directly or indirectly to the regulation of visceral activities by way of other brain regions and the autonomic nervous system
.
Neural tube
In the developing vertebrate, the neural tube is the embryo's precursor to the central nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord...
which gives rise to posterior forebrain structures. In development, the forebrain develops from the prosencephalon
Prosencephalon
In the anatomy of the brain of vertebrates, the prosencephalon is the rostral-most portion of the brain. The prosencephalon, the mesencephalon , and rhombencephalon are the three primary portions of the brain during early development of the central nervous system...
, the most anterior vesicle
Vesicle
Vesicle may refer to:In cellular biology or chemistry* Vesicle , a supramolecular assembly of lipid molecules, like a cell membrane* Synaptic vesicleIn human embryology* Auditory vesicle* Optic vesiclesIn human anatomy and morphology...
of the neural tube which later forms both the diencephalon and the telencephalon
Telencephalon
The cerebrum or telencephalon, together with the diencephalon, constitutes the forebrain. The cerebrum is the most anterior region of the vertebrate central nervous system. Telencephalon refers to the embryonic structure, from which the mature cerebrum develops...
.
Organization
- diencephalon
- mid-diencephalic territory
- prethalamusPrethalamusThe prethalamus or subthalamus is part of the diencephalon and therefore part of the brain.Developmental biologists prefer the term prethalamus, as it can be genetically defined , whereas anatomists often use the expression subthalamus.The prethalamus is part of the mid-diencephalic territory...
- zona limitans intrathalamicaZona limitans intrathalamicaThe zona limitans intrathalamica is a lineage-restriction compartment and primary developmental boundary in the vertebrate forebrain that serves as a signaling center and a restrictive border between the thalamus and the prethalamus...
- thalamusThalamusThe thalamus is a midline paired symmetrical structure within the brains of vertebrates, including humans. It is situated between the cerebral cortex and midbrain, both in terms of location and neurological connections...
- prethalamus
- hypothalamusHypothalamusThe Hypothalamus is a portion of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions...
- epithalamusEpithalamusThe epithalamus is a dorsal posterior segment of the diencephalon which includes the habenula, the stria medullaris and the pineal body...
- pretectumPretectumThe pretectum, also known as the pretectal area, is a region of neurons found between the thalamus and midbrain. It receives binocular sensory input from retinal ganglion cells of the eyes, and is the region responsible for maintaining the pupillary light reflex.-Outputs:The pretectum, after...
- pineal glandPineal glandThe pineal gland is a small endocrine gland in the vertebrate brain. It produces the serotonin derivative melatonin, a hormone that affects the modulation of wake/sleep patterns and seasonal functions...
- mid-diencephalic territory
Roles
The diencephalon is the region of the embryonic vertebrate neural tubeNeural tube
In the developing vertebrate, the neural tube is the embryo's precursor to the central nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord...
that gives rise to posterior forebrain structures including the thalamus
Thalamus
The thalamus is a midline paired symmetrical structure within the brains of vertebrates, including humans. It is situated between the cerebral cortex and midbrain, both in terms of location and neurological connections...
, hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
The Hypothalamus is a portion of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions...
, posterior portion of the pituitary gland
Pituitary gland
In vertebrate anatomy the pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea and weighing 0.5 g , in humans. It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain, and rests in a small, bony cavity covered by a dural fold...
, and pineal gland
Pineal gland
The pineal gland is a small endocrine gland in the vertebrate brain. It produces the serotonin derivative melatonin, a hormone that affects the modulation of wake/sleep patterns and seasonal functions...
. The hypothalamus performs numerous vital functions, most of which relate directly or indirectly to the regulation of visceral activities by way of other brain regions and the autonomic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system is the part of the peripheral nervous system that acts as a control system functioning largely below the level of consciousness, and controls visceral functions. The ANS affects heart rate, digestion, respiration rate, salivation, perspiration, diameter of the pupils,...
.
External links
- NIF Search - Diencephalon via the Neuroscience Information FrameworkNeuroscience Information FrameworkThe Neuroscience Information Framework is a repository of global neuroscience web resources, including experimental, clinical, and translational neuroscience databases, knowledge bases, atlases, and genetic/genomic resources.-Description:...