Summary of Functions of Principal Parts of the Brain

Circumventricular Organs (CVOs) of the Diencephalon

Parts of the diencephalon, the CVOs, can monitor chemical changes in the blood because they lack a blood-brain barrier
CVOs include the hypothalamus (a portion of it), pineal gland, and the pituitary gland
CVOs coordinate homeostatic activities of the endocrine and nervous systems
Circumventricular Organs (CVOs) of the Diencephalon

Parts of the diencephalon, the CVOs, can monitor chemical changes in the blood because they lack a blood-brain barrier
CVOs include the hypothalamus (a portion of it), pineal gland, and the pituitary gland
CVOs coordinate homeostatic activities of the endocrine and nervous systems


TABLE 14.2 Summary of Functions of Principal Parts of the Brain PART DIENCEPHALON Epithalamus Thalamus Hypothalamus Dissedion Shawn Mill", Photograph Mark Nielsen FUNCTION Thalamus: Relays almost all sensory input to cerebral cortex. Contributes to motor functions by transmitting information from cerebellum and basal nuclei to primary motor area of cerebral conex. Plays role in maintenance of consciousness Hypothalamus: Controls and integrates activities of autonomic nervous system. Produces hormones, including releasing hormones, inhibiting hormones, oxytocin, and antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Regulates emotional and behavioral patterns (together with limbic system). Contains feeding and satiety centers (regulate eating), thirst center (regulates drinking), and suprachiasmatic nucleus (regulates circadian rhythms). Controls body temperature by sewing as body’s thermostat. Epithalamus: Consists of pineal gland (secretes melatonin) and habenular nuclei (involved in olfaction).