Diencephalon Structure and Function
mammillary bodies
2 tiny bumps anterior to the pituitary on the lower surface of the brain. Function in olfaction (smell) in lower animals; provide for feeding reflexes in humans.
choroid plexus
A highly vascular portion of the lining of the ventricles that secretes cerebrospinal fluid.
infundibulum
A stalk that attaches the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus.
hypothalamus
Located along the anterior floor of the thalamus. It is very small compared to its functions including monitoring of homeostasis, production of hormones related to sexual development and autonomic responses to sleep, hunger and stress.
third ventricle
The space that holds CSF in the very middle of the brain, surrounded by the thalamus.
foramen of Munro
What is the opening between each lateral ventricle and third ventricle?
pineal glands
chemicals released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands, is thoughts to regulate day-night rhythms
Thalamus
Brain structure that receives messages from the sense organs and relays the information to the proper region of the cerebrum for further processing
Mass Intermedia
Midline structure within the thalamus that provides structure and communication between both walls of the third ventricle.