Other Parts of Your Brain (Diencephalon and Brain Stem)

Your diencephalon is located beneath the middle of your cerebrum and on top of your brain stem. It contains two very important structures: the hypothalamus and the thalamus. Your hypothalamus occupies a major portion of the ventral region of the diencephalon and directs several important body functions. Located below the thalamus, and just above the brain stem, the hypothalamus links the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. It plays a vital role in keeping conditions inside your body constant. It performs this function by regulating body temperature, thirst, hunger, and circadian cycles by modulating the release of hormones from the nearby pituitary gland. Your hypothalamus is also an important emotional center, controlling the molecules that make you feel exhilarated, angry, or unhappy. Your thalamus has multiple functions. It acts as a relay station for incoming sensory nerve impulses, sending them on to appropriate regions of the brain for processing. It is also responsible for alerting the brain about what's happening outside of your body. Your thalamus plays a major role in regulating arousal, the level of awareness and activity, as well as states of sleep and wakefulness. Damage or malfunction of your thalamus may lead to permanent coma or a prolonged period of unconsciousness. Your brain stem lies at the bottom of the brain, connecting the brain with spinal cord. It serves as a sensory and motor pathway to your body and face. The functions of your brainstem include breathing, digestion, heart rate, blood pressure and arousal. Parts of your brain known as the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata by biological scientist and neurologists belong to the brain stem. Your midbrain contains auditory and visual reflex centers and serves as the nerve pathway of the cerebral hemispheres. The medulla oblongata which functions primarily as a relay station between the spinal cord and the brain contains the respiratory, vasomotor and cardiac centers, as well as the mechanisms for controlling reflex activities such as coughing, vomiting, swallowing and gagging.