diencephalon

Sitting between the cerebral cortex and the brain stem is another segment of the brain, called the diencephalons, which combines the functions of the brain stem with the cerebral cortex.

Areas covered by the diencephalon are the hypothalamus and the thalamus which process our sensory information such as hunger and thirst, including our sexual and emotional responses.

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See diencephalon in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the posterior end of the forebrain, including the thalami and hypothalamus

Origin: ModL < dia- + encephalon

Related Forms:

See diencephalon in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
The posterior part of the forebrain that connects the midbrain with the cerebral hemispheres, encloses the third ventricle, and contains the thalamus and hypothalamus. Also called betweenbrain, interbrain, thalamencephalon.

Origin:

Origin: di(a)-

Origin: + encephalon

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Related Forms:

  • di·en·ce·phalˈic (-sə-fălˈĭk) adjective

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