Thalamus, Hypothalamus and Limbic system

Flashcards about the thalamus, hypothalamus, and limbic system.

Which brain region connects the brainstem to the cerebrum and has many relay and homeostatic functions?

Diencephalon

Name the four main structures that compose the Diencephalon.

Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Epithalamus, Subthalamus

What are the main functions of the diencephalon?

Relays sensory information, controls autonomic functions

Which part of the diencephalon serves as the relay for sensory information between brain regions?

Thalamus

Which part of the diencephalon is the link between the nervous system and the endocrine system?

Hypothalamus

What is the role of the subthalamic nuclei?

Controlling motor functions

Name the parts of the epithalamus.

Habenula and Pineal Gland

What is the function of the habenula?

Motivational control of behavior

What role does the pineal gland have?

Modulation of the sleep-wake cycle

List the major functions of the hypothalamus.

Autonomic, Endocrine, Muscle Control, Regulation of body temperature…

How does the hypothalamus contribute to autonomic functions?

Helps control heart rate, urine release, movement of food through the digestive tract, and blood vessel diameter.

Explain the endocrine functions of the hypothalamus.

Helps regulate pituitary gland secretions and Influences metabolism.

Which nucleus is responsible for hunger/thirst?

Lateral Nucleus

Which nucleus releases gonadotropic releasing hormone (GnRH)?

Medial preoptic nucleus

Which nuclei produce ADH and oxytocin?

Supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei

Which nucleus acts as a circadian pacemaker?

Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

Which system includes parts of the cerebrum and diencephalon and is responsible for emotion and memory?

Limbic system

Where, around the cerebrum, is the limbic system located?

Deep portions of the cerebrum that form a ring around the diencephalon.

What are the major roles of the limbic system?

Motivation, emotion, learning, and memory.

What is the name for the series of looped connections that link the principal structures of the limbic system?

The Papez circuit

Name the main structures in the Papez circuit?

Hippocampus, Mamillary Body, Anterior Nucleus of Thalamus, Cingulate Gyrus

To which area does the Papez circuit project?

Hypothalamus

What are the cortical structures of the limbic system?

Limbic lobe, Hippocampal formation, Amygdaloid nuclear complex

What are the limbic system's subcortical structure?

Hypothalamus, Olfactory areas, Septal nuclei

Which part of the diencephalon relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex?

Thalamus

Which gland in the epithalamus is involved in circadian rhythms?

Pineal gland

What structure connects the right and left thalamus?

Interthalamic adhesion

What does the thalamus influence?

Moods and activities associated with strong emotion.

Which behavior does the Habenula play an integrative role?

Reward and subsequent addictions

Which structure in the hypothalamus is responsible for memory formation?

Mammillary bodies

The hypothalamus is an integral part of the endocrine system by linking to which gland?

The pituitary gland

Lesion of the lateral nucleus can cause what?

Aphagia

Lesion of the anterior nucleus can cause what?

Hyperthermia

Lesion of the dorsomedial nucleus can cause what?

Aggression

To what part of the brain does the Thalamus project to?

The cerebral cortex

The Thalamus is known as 'The _ to the cerebral cortex.'

Gateway

Which nucleus of the Hypothalamus promotes heat production in the body?

Posterior Nucleus

Which nucleus of the Hypothalamus promotes heat loss in the body?

Anterior Nucleus

The Hypothalamus helps control what type of body functions?

Autonomic

The Suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus is known as the circadian ___ pacemaker

24 hour