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.