Home > Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders > Diencephalon

Definition

The diencephalon is a complex of structures within the brain, whose major divisions are the thalamus and hypothalamus. It functions as a relay system between sensory input neurons and other parts of the brain, as an interactive site for the central nervous and endocrine systems, and works in tandem with the limbic system.

Description

The diencephalon is composed of several structures, the whole about the size of an apricot, situated near the core center of the brain, just above the brainstem. It is made up of the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain, below the telencephalon, the most basal part of the cerebrum. The two major components of the diencephalon are the thalamus and the hypothalamus. Other important structures within the diencephalon complex are the epithalamus, subthalamus, third ventricle, mammillary bodies, posterior pituitary gland, and the pineal body. The diencephalon interconnects...