diencephalon

[ dahy-en-sef-uh-lon ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural di·en·ceph·a·lons, di·en·ceph·a·la [dahy-en-, sef, -, uh, -l, uh].

1. the posterior section of the forebrain.

diencephalon

/ ˌdaɪɛnsɪˈfælɪk; ˌdaɪɛnˈsɛfəˌlɒn /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• diencephalic, adjective

Other Words From

• di·en·ce·phal·ic [dahy-en-s, uh, -, fal, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diencephalon¹

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