Chapter 6: Diencephalon, Basal Ganglia, Ventricles

diencephalon location

deep in the brain, between the cerebral hemispheres, and above the brainstem

diencephalon connects…

• cerebral cortex to the rest of the body

• nervous system to the endocrine system

diencephalon function

primary relay and processing center for nearly all sensory information and autonomic control

4 major parts of the diencephalon

• thalamus

• hypothalamus

• epithalumus

• subthalamus

thalamus function

relay station for sensory fibers

subthalamus function

regulates and coordiantes motor function

hypothalamus function

regulates various body functions (ex. body temp)

epithalamus function

regulates genital development, sleep-wake cycle, and optic reflexes

damage to the diencephalon could lead to…

• thalamic pain syndrome (thalamus)

• thalamic aphasia (thalamus)

• cushing disease (hypothalamus)

• acromegaly (hypothalamus)

basal ganglia location

deep within the cerebral hemispheres, lateral to thalamus, and below the cerebral cortex

basal ganglia function

• regulates posture, balance, locomotion

• coordinates motor behavior

• inhibits function

• uses dopamine

3 major parts of the basal ganglia

• globus pallidas

• putamen

• caudate nucleus

basal ganglia damage could lead to…

• parkinson’s disease

• huntington’s disease

• emotional processing problems

what are ventricles?

fluid-filled spaces in brain

brain contains 4 ventricles

• right lateral ventricle

• left lateral ventricle

• third ventricle

• fourth ventricle

what do the ventricles do?

each has a structure called the choroid plexus that produces cerebral spinal fluid

CSF is found in

• brain ventricles

• arachnoid space = brain and spinal cord

CSF functions

• protection

• buoyancy

• waste removal

• nutrients/hormones transport

damage to ventricular system could lead to hydrocephalus

• water on the brain

• accumulation of CSF which arises from an imabalance in the production and drainage of the fluid

• main symptom = large head