Diencephalon

The diencephalon ("interbrain") is the region of the brain that includes the thalamus, metathalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus, prethalamus or subthalamus and pretectum. In development, the diencephalon and the telencephalon both derive from the prosencephalon (forebrain). The diencephalon is located near the midline of the brain, above the mesencephalon (midbrain).

Organization

 * diencephalon
 * mid-diencephalic territory
 * prethalamus
 * zona limitans intrathalamica
 * thalamus
 * hypothalamus
 * epithalamus
 * pretectum
 * pineal gland

Roles
The diencephalon is the part of the forebrain that contains such important structures as the thalamus, hypothalamus, posterior portion of the pituitary gland, and pineal gland. The hypothalamus performs numerous vital functions, most of which relate directly or indirectly to the regulation of visceral activities by way of other brain regions and the autonomic nervous system.