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

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The spinal cord is a single structure, whereas the adult brain is described in terms of four major regions: the cerebrum, the diencephalon, the brain stem, and the cerebellum.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The retina, which began as part of the diencephalon, is primarily connected to the diencephalon.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The important regions of the CNS that play a role in somatic processes can be separated into the spinal cord brain stem, diencephalon, cerebral cortex, and subcortical structures.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Output from the cerebrum passes through the diencephalon.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013