Diencephalon

epithalamus

• pineal gland

• habenular nuclei

subthalamus

• subthalamic nucleus

• zona incerta

hypothalamus

coordinates drive-related behaviors, associated with maintaining homeostasis via autonomic, endocrine, and limbic connections

thalamus

“switchboard” of the brain, nearly all inputs to the cerebrum first synapse on neurons in thalamus; “gateway” for all sensory information EXCEPT olfaction; makes up most of diencephalon; egg-shaped structure flanking 3rd ventricle; consists of multiple subnuclei

pineal gland

secretes melatonin, regulates sleep-wake cycles

habenular nuclei

assigns reward value to stimuli

subthalamic nucleus

part of basal ganglia indirect pathway

zona incerta

limbic-motor integration; rostral continuation of reticular formation

thalamic nuclei groups

• lateral nuclear group

• medial nuclear group

• anterior nuclear group

• intralaminar nuclei

• midline thalamic nuclei