Which of the following is a component of the telencephalon?

• A. Cerebral cortex
• B. Thalamus
• C. Hypothalamus
• D. Midbrain

Answer: (A)

The telencephalon includes the cerebral cortex and other related structures; the outer layer of neural tissue that covers the hemispheres is a defining part of it. Among the options, the cerebral cortex is the component that remains within the telencephalon, supporting higher-level functions like perception, thought, language, and voluntary movement. The thalamus and hypothalamus come from the diencephalon, a different part of the forebrain that acts as a relay and regulatory center. The midbrain is part of the brainstem, arising from the mesencephalon, and is not part of the telencephalon. So the cerebral cortex is the correct component.