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diencephalon

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

noun

Anatomy.
diencephalons, plural diencephala plural
  1. the posterior section of the forebrain.


diencephalon British  
/ ˌdaɪɛnsɪˈfælɪk, ˌdaɪɛnˈsɛfəˌlɒn /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Etymology

Origin of diencephalon

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

Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

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 diencephalon is the only region that keeps its embryonic name.

From Textbooks Jun. 19, 2013

The diencephalon gives rise to several adult structures; two that will be important are the thalamus and the hypothalamus.

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

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