Q.Name the principal parts of the human forebrain and state one function of each.

[!TLDR] Forebrain = cerebrum (voluntary movement, sensation, higher functions), thalamus (sensory/motor relay), hypothalamus (homeostasis, e.g. temperature/hunger), and limbic system (emotion, memory). [!ANSWER] Cerebrum — voluntary movement/sensation/cognition; thalamus — relay centre; hypothalamus — homeostatic regulation; limbic system — emotion and memory.

The forebrain comprises the cerebrum, which through its cortex controls voluntary movement, processes sensory information and underlies higher mental functions such as reasoning and language; the thalamus, which acts as the principal relay centre through which almost all sensory information (and much motor information) passes on its way to and from the cerebral cortex; the hypothalamus, which regulates homeostatic functions such as body temperature, hunger, thirst, sexual behaviour and circadian rhythms, and links the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary; and the limbic system, a group of structures (including the hippocampus and amygdala) that, together with the hypothalamus, governs emotional responses and plays a central role in forming new memories. [!ANSWER] Cerebrum (movement/sensation/cognition), thalamus (relay), hypothalamus (homeostasis), limbic system (emotion/memory).

Assign one clear headline function to each of the four named forebrain structures.

Do not merge the thalamus and hypothalamus into one structure — despite lying close together, the thalamus is chiefly a relay centre while the hypothalamus is chiefly a regulatory/homeostatic centre.