Transcript GQ: what does the diencephalon regulate to maintain the body and

GQ: WHAT DOES THE DIENCEPHALON
REGULATE TO MAINTAIN THE BODY AND
BODILY FUNCTIONS, AND HOW DOES IT
DO SO?
By: Shirin Ajay, Jeevitha Anthony, Natalia Barker, and
Noopur Shah
History
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Until 1969, most endocrinologists believed that
the anterior pituitary controlled the gonads and
brain, independent of neural input.
In late 1930’s Geoffrey Harris proposed that that
the anterior pituitary was regulated by
hypothalamic neurons.
The proof required isolation of a substance
produced by neurons that could bring out anterior
pituitary hormone release.
Result: Diencephalon regulates the endocrine
system.
Structure and Function
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The Diencephalon is an area of the brain composed
of: the thalamus, the hypothalamus, the epithalamus,
and the subthalamus.
These parts contain: (1) the optic tracts/chiasma, (2)
the infundibulum, (3) posterior pituitary gland, (4)
mammillary bodies, and (5) the pineal gland.
Structure and Function
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Functions of the Diencephalon by part:
Thalamus: emotive expression, combines sensory
input with emotional responses, maintains
consciousness, known as the collection of pathways.
Hypothalamus: ANS integration center, visceral
reflexes, regulates thirst, temperature, sleep,
appetite, fat metabolism, sexual responses, hormone
regulation, blood pressure, fight or flight, pituitary
gland is situated at the base
Function Continued
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Epithalamus: Contains the Penial Gland
Known as the third eye, reacts to changes in light,
produces melatonin, controls body rhythms, possibly
affects onset of puberty, stimulates the immune
system, and is an endocrine gland.
Hormones Regulated by the
Diencephalon
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Melatonin - is secreted by the pineal gland at night
and is concerned with circadian rhythms, as well as
inhibition of reproductive functions, and antioxidant
activity
Oxytocin - (in women) stimulates smooth muscle
contractions in the wall of the uterus during labor and
delivery
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) - the primary function is
to decrease the amount of water lost in urine
How the Diencephalon affects Human
Behavior
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Certain sections and masses of the nuclei within
the hypothalamus are responsible for emotions
such as fear, anger, pain and joy.
The superior portion of the hypothalamus
controls the sexual sensation.
Oxytocin controls various behavior including
orgasm, pair bonding, anxiety and maternal
behaviors- also referred as the “love hormone.”
Bibliography
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Bartholomew, Edwin F. Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology. 4th ed.
Pearson. Print.
"Diencephalon - Brain." InnerBody.com. 2012. Web. 31 Jan. 2012.
<http://www.innerbody.com/image_nerv02/nerv64-new.html>.
"Diencephalon - Human Anatomy." Medical Encyclopedia. Generic
Look. Web. 31 Jan. 2012.
<http://genericlook.com/anatomy/Diencephalon/>.
"Diencephalon." Medicalook - Your Medical World. Medica Look.
Web. 31 Jan. 2012.
<http://www.medicalook.com/human_anatomy/organs/Diencephalon.
html>.
Paxinos, George. The Human Nervous System. San Diego: Academic,
1990. Print.
Heitman, Susan. "The Brain -- Anatomy and Function." Welcome
to Wisc-Online.com. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://www.wisconline.com/Objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=OTA502>