Diencephalon + Brain Stem + Cerebellum

Diencephalon - where and what does it surround

deep in center of brain

surrounds the third ventricle

What are the three paired structures of the diencephalon

Thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus

Thalamus (“inner room”)

Relay station / gateway to cerebral cortex

sorts, edits, and relays all afferent (sensory) impulses from senses

organizes which part of the cortex information goes to

Hypothalamus

Homeostasis

Autonomic control center - blood pressure, heart rate, etc + body temp, thirst, food etc

What gland is this

pituitary gland thats connected to the hypothalamus

Limbic system

part of the thalamus

involved in perception of emotion (pleasure, fear, anger, etc) → causes changes in body

ex: fearful person has pounding heart, high blood pressure, sweating, etc

Epithalamus

Smallest of the three diencephalon structures

has pineal glands that produce melatonin → regulate sleep-wake cycle

what gland is this

pineal gland of epithalamus

What are the three parts of the brain stem from top to bottom and what does the brains stem do

Midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata

connects the brain to the spinal cord

Midbrain → has the substantia nigra

substantia nigra

part of the midbrain - produces dopamine

if degenerated → parkinson’s disease

functionally connected to basal nuclei / ganglia

Pons - bridge

between cerebrum and cerebellum

between brain section to lower brain and spinal cord

Medulla oblongata - connects to the spinal cord

controls autonomic reflexes (subconscious activity)

What are the two centers of the medulla oblongata

Cardiovascular and Respiratory

Cardiovascular center of the medulla oblongata - controls 3 things

controls heartrate, force of contraction, and bloodvessel diameter (vasomotor center)

Respiratory center of medulla oblongata - controls what (2)

breathing rate and depth + generates respiratory rhythm

Damage to brain stem, especially medulla oblongata results in

Death

What is the cerebellum dorsal and inferior to

cerebellum is dorsal to brain stem and inferior to occipital lobe of cerebellum

What does the cerebellum do and not do

It doesn’t start the movement → it adjusts it

balance, coordination, timing

balance, coordination, finger-nose tests are for what part of the brain

cerebellum

What part of the brain is involved in learning motor tasks like sports and musical instruments

cerebellum

All sensory information passes through thalamus?

No → all except olfactory

Hypothalamus vs medulla oblongata

both autonomic
but hypothalmus → the why → higher control center → homestasis regulation

medulla oblongata → how → automatic reflex