Habenula

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Habenula

Habenula (pronunciation: /hæbɪˈnjuːlə/) is a small region in the brain located in the posterior part of the third ventricle. It is part of the epithalamus, which also includes the pineal gland and the stria medullaris.

Etymology

The term "habenula" is derived from the Latin word "habena", meaning "rein". This is due to the structure's resemblance to a small rein or strap.

Function

The habenula plays a crucial role in various brain functions, including pain processing, reproductive behavior, nutrition, sleep-wake cycles, stress responses, and learning. It is also involved in the regulation of serotonin and dopamine, two important neurotransmitters in the brain.

Related Terms

  • Epithalamus: The part of the diencephalon that includes the habenula and the pineal gland.
  • Pineal Gland: A small endocrine gland in the brain that produces melatonin, a hormone that affects the modulation of wake/sleep patterns and seasonal functions.
  • Stria Medullaris: A band of white matter in the brain that carries information from the septal nuclei to the habenula.
  • Serotonin: A neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, appetite, and sleep.
  • Dopamine: A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward.

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski