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Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development pp 504–505Cite as

Diencephalon

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Definition

The Diencephalon is a division of the brain that is located just above the brainstem and includes the Thalamus, Hypothalamus, and Epithalamus, which together influence the regulation of motivated behaviors, internal states, and sensory input.

Description

The Diencephalon constitutes the inferior portion of the brain that includes the Thalamus, Hypothalamus, and Epithalamus. It is located at the head of the brainstem connecting the Cerebral cortex with the lower structures of the brainstem [6]. The Diencephalon, in combination with the Cerebral cortex, Limbic System, and Basal Ganglia constitutes the Forebrain which is the highest functional level of the brain. Functionally, the Diencephalon plays a role in the general regulation of water, body temperature, sleep, food intake, development of secondary sex characteristics, autonomic responses, and endocrine activity [5]. In addition, the Diencephalon is involved in the relay of visual, auditory, and tactile information, as...

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References

  1. Beaumont, J. G. (2008). Introduction to Neuropsychology (2nd ed.). New York: The Guilford Press.

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  2. Elias, L. J., & Saucier, D. M. (2006). Neuropsychology: Clinical and experimental foundations. Boston, MA: Pearson Allyn and Bacon.

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  3. Filley, C. M. (2001). Neurobehavioral anatomy (2nd ed.). Boulder, CO: University of Colorado Press.

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  4. Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I. Q. (2003). Fundamentals of human neuropsychology (5th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.

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  5. Loring, D. W. (1999). INS dictionary of neuropsychology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

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  6. Zillmer, E. A., & Spiers, M. V. (2001). Principles of neuropsychology. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, SIU School of Medicine, 901 W. Jefferson St, Springfield, IL, 62702, USA

    Chad A. Noggle

Authors
  1. Chad A. Noggle
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology, Learning and Behavior Center, 230 South 500 East, Suite 100, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84102, USA

    Sam Goldstein Ph.D.

  2. Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology MS 2C6, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA

    Jack A. Naglieri Ph.D.

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Noggle, C.A. (2011). Diencephalon. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_847

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