Diencephalon
A major division of the forebrain, situated between the cerebral hemispheres and the midbrain, comprising the thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus, and subthalamus.
Key Functions:
- Relays sensory information (via thalamus).
- Regulates autonomic functions, hormones, and essential drives (via hypothalamus).
- Involved in sleep-wake cycles and limbic functions (via epithalamus).
- Contributes to motor control (via subthalamus).
Interacting Systems & Components:
- Thalamus (major component)
- Hypothalamus (major component)
- Epithalamus (component, includes pineal gland and habenular nuclei)
- Subthalamus (component)
- Cerebral Cortex (receives and sends projections to)
- Brainstem (inferior to)