PHYSIOLOGY
HYPOTHALAMUS, THALAMUS & EPITHALAMUS
OUTLINE
Introduction
Hypothalamus
Nuclei
Endocrine & Vegetative functions
Emotion and other behaviours
Thalamus
Nuclei
Thalamus and Sensation
Thalamus and Motor function
Thalamic syndrome
Epithalamus
INTRODUCTION TO DIENCEPHALON
Literally means between-brain (or b/n
brain stem and cerebrum)
The third ventricle is a narrow midline cavity
within the diencephalon.
The diencephalon, together with the
telencephalon (cerebrum), constitutes the
forebrain
HYPOTHALAMUS
Most inferior portion.
Located below the thalamus.
Less than 1% of total brain volume.
Center for homeostasis.
Centers for behavioral drives.
HYPOTHALAMUS: NUCLEI
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THALAMUS
Bilateral ovoid mass of gray matter
80% of diencephalon.
Intermediate mass or interthalamic adhesion.
Hypothalamic sulcus
Thalamus (except reticular nucleus) --------Cerebral cortex
All part of Cerebral Cortex -------- Thalamus
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Other Nuclei
Ventral Group
Dorsal
Group
Centromedian
N.
Reticular
Nucleus
Ventral
Anterior/Lateral
N.
Pulvinar N
Midline
Nucleus
Intralaminar
Nuclei
Lateral
Dorsal N.
Dorsomedial
N.
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LGB
Visual Cortex
MGB
Auditory Cortex
VPL
VPM
Motor cortex
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Lateral Dorsal
Lateral Posterior
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Projection sites
Intralaminar
Anterior Nuclei
Limbic structures
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FUNCTIONS OF THALAMUS
Sensory functions
Center for sexual sensation (perception of sexual sensations)
Role in arousal & alertness reactions (because of its connections with
nuclei of reticular formation)
Center for reflex activity
Center for integration of motor activity
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EPITHALAMUS
Dorsal segment of the
diencephalon.
Choroid plexus over the
third ventricle.
Contains the pineal
gland
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REFERENCE:
John Mendoza, Anne Foundas; Clinical Neuroanatomy: A
Neurobehavioral Approach
K Sembulingam, Prema Sembulingam; Essentials of Medical Physiology
6th edition, 2012
Martini, Timmons, Tallitsch; Human Anatomy 7th edition, 2012
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