Epithalamus

The epithalamus is a dorsal subdivision of the diencephalon, located dorsally relative to the thalamus. It includes the pineal gland, which emerges from the suprapineal recess, and the habenula, connected by the habenular commissure and linked via the stria of the thalamic habenula. These structures are involved in regulating circadian rhythms, modulating emotional behaviors, and integrating sensorimotor and limbic signals.