diencephalon

American  

[dahy-en-sef-uh-lon] / ˌdaɪ ɛnˈsɛf əˌlɒn /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

diencephalons, diencephala

1. the posterior section of the forebrain.

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diencephalon British  

/ ˌdaɪɛnsɪˈfælɪk, ˌdaɪɛnˈsɛfəˌlɒn /

noun

1. the part of the brain that includes the basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus, and associated areas

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Other Word Forms

• diencephalic adjective

Etymology

Origin of diencephalon

From New Latin, dating back to 1880–85; see origin at di- ³, encephalon

Example Sentences

The pineal gland is an endocrine structure of the diencephalon of the brain, and is located inferior and posterior to the thalamus.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Humans, as two-legged animals, have a bend in the neuraxis between the brain stem and the diencephalon, along with a bend in the neck, so that the eyes and the face are oriented forward.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The rest of the brain, the spinal cord, and the PNS all send information to the cerebrum through the diencephalon.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The diencephalon is the only region that keeps its embryonic name.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The adult brain is separated into four major regions: the cerebrum, the diencephalon, the brain stem, and the cerebellum.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013