Habenula

The Habenula (from Latin habena " reins "), even Epiphysenstiele, are part of the epithalamus and thus of the diencephalon.

There are two thin cord bundles, the pineal gland ( pineal gland, epiphysis ) to the thalamus (hence the name " Epiphysenstiel "). Both Habenula stria medullaris thalami set to be continued, which connects the olfactory center in the olfactory bulb with the nuclei of Habenula ( habenular nuclei ). About the stria medullaris thalami reach the afferent impulses from the anterior perforated substance ( Area olfactory, septal nuclei and regions preoptica to Habenulakernen, received the additional information about the stria terminalis impulses from the amygdala. The Habenula form with their core areas of a switching station for olfactory stimuli. After switchover, the olfactory information to the salivatorischen ( saliva production ) and motor ( chewing) nuclei of the brainstem are forwarded.

About the commissure habenularum the habenular nuclei of the two sides are connected. The function of the reins cores is not fully understood. Presumably they are switching station for olfactory pathways that run between the olfactory bulb and the autonomic centers in the brainstem.