The epitalamus is a small structure responsible for the main functions of our survival. It regulates circadian rhythms, our nighttime sleep and even energy savings. In addition, thanks to its connection to the limbic system, it participates in our emotional processes that govern motivation and also states related to depression.
We have all heard of some relevant parts of our brain, such as the hippocampus, the cerebral cortex, the pineal gland, and different lobes of the brain. The epithalamus, however, is still not so well known. In fact, neurologists still know little about this small part of the diencephalon, located just above the thalamus.
- However.
- The most interesting aspect of the epitalame is the role it plays in regulating all hormonal functions.
- Which in turn regulate sleep and wakefulness cycles and also stimulate growth and maturation.
- On the other hand.
- In the field of psychology.
- It is particularly crucial to understand how this small but important structure acts to modulate our mood.
In the world of the brain, as in our lives, things do not always have responsibilities directly related to their size, this small area of the diencephalus is a clear example, we will know more about the epitalamus below.
The epithalamus is located within a brain area known as the diencephalus, the latter region, if you haven’t heard of it, is located in the anterior part of the brain, as well as other structures such as the thalamus, hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
In addition, as mentioned above, the epithalamus is above the thalamus and shares space with the third ventricle, it should also be noted that if something marks the function of this region are its connections with the limbic system. this system is responsible for regulating our emotions, certain physiological responses and also our instincts.
So we will not be wrong if we say that the nineteenth and all the structures that make up it, in phylogenetic terms, are the oldest part of the human brain and responsible for the basic vital processes.
Every function for which the epitalamus is responsible occurs based on the communication of the regions of this area between them, coupled with their connections to the limbic system. As we well know, nothing in the brain works in isolation, connectivity is very wide and perfectly regulated, with neural connections in which information is processed at all times.
Let’s see what the epithalamus areas are and what task is performed in each of them.
The habenular tissues or nuclei are connected to the pineal gland and facilitate the connection between the limbic system and the reticular formation, and are in turn divided into two very differentiated parts: the lateral terrestrial nucleus and the medial terrestrial nucleus.
The pineal gland is a much better known structure (mainly by all spiritual currents that define it as the “third eye”). However, beyond UNSAN’s scientific approaches, it must be said that this part of the epitalame is a key element. of our endocrine processes:
In conclusion, it can be said that within the nervous system the epitalamus is, at first glance, a very insignificant part because of its small size, but as we have seen, however, knowing all the functions of the dress and pineal gland, I can already guess that this is a very relevant area.
The epitalamus is the conductor of the orchestra that regulates our cycle of awakening and rest, which facilitates avoidance behaviors in relation to danger, which stimulates the growth of our childhood, connecting with sunlight so that the body knows when to lower its level of activation. ? In essence, any change in this area would completely affect our usual behavior.
In this way, knowing this data about our brain allows us to better understand many of our behaviors.