Background　The habenula is a small bilateral structure on the floor of the third ventricle， which locates in the posterior-medial aspect of the dorsal thalamus and is divided into the medial habenula（MHb） and the lateral habenula （LHb）. Recent studies show that the habenula is involved in the regulation of behavioural responses to pain， reward-aversion， depression and maternal behavior.　Objective　Elucidate the important role of habenula nucleus in the regulation of sensory and emotion and provide new ideas for related clinical research.　Content　This article reviews the mechanisms and circuits through which habenula participates in sensory and emotional modulation.　Trend　With further research， the habenula may become the therapeutic targets of multiple sensory or emotional disease in the furture.