L11 Hypothalamus

A small brain region located at the base of the brain, involved in regulating vital functions such as hunger, thirst, sleep-wake cycles and body temperature.

The hypothalamus has important connections with the pituitary gland, regulating hormone release and influencing endocrine functions.

The hypothalamus receives input from various parts of the brain and body, such as the limbic system and sensory organs.

The hypothalamus sends signals to other regions of the brain and body, affecting autonomic functions, hormone release and behavior.

Specialized brain regions that allow communication between the brain and the bloodstream, bypassing the blood-brain barrier.

Damage to specific areas of the hypothalamus can result in disruptions to body functions, such as problems with eating, sleep, thirst, or temperature regulation.

The hypothalamus plays a critical role in the regulation of hunger and satiety.

The hypothalamus has direct influence on the autonomic nervous system which controls involuntary bodily functions like heart rate, digestion, and breathing.

Also known as the adenohypophysis or pars distalis, this part of the pituitary gland is responsible for producing and releasing hormones that regulate various bodily functions.

A small, funnel-shaped structure that connects the hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary.

A bony structure within the skull that houses the pituitary gland.

A nucleus in the hypothalamus that plays a role in a variety of functions including bladder contraction, decreased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and erectile function in males.

The thin, intermediate part of the pituitary gland located between the anterior and posterior portions.

The tough, fibrous membrane that envelops the brain and spinal cord. In the context of the pituitary, it creates a barrier known as the diaphragma sella.

A nucleus in the hypothalamus that contributes to erectile function in males.

A collection of neurons in the hypothalamus that plays a crucial role in the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin.

A part of the dura mater that covers the superior portion of the pituitary gland. It has a small opening through which the pituitary stalk passes.

A region in the hypothalamus responsible for regulating body temperature, specifically promoting heat dissipation.

A nucleus in the hypothalamus that plays a central role in regulating circadian rhythms, controlling hormone release, feeding behavior, and body temperature.

A surgical approach to access the pituitary gland through the sphenoid sinus, which is accessible through the nose.

A nucleus in the hypothalamus involved in regulating thirst and hunger.

A nucleus in the hypothalamus that participates in releasing various hormones, including oxytocin, antidiuretic hormone (ADH), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH).

A region in the hypothalamus that encompasses the supraoptic, paraventricular, and anterior hypothalamic nuclei, and helps regulate parasympathetic activity.

A bundle of nerve fibers carrying signals from the amygdala to the hypothalamus, passing along the caudate nucleus. It's involved in limbic system regulation.

Another bundle of nerve fibers from the amygdala to the hypothalamus, but shorter than the ST. It also plays a vital role in limbic system functions.

Consisting of nerve fibers from the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis). This tract releases key hormones into circulation, influencing various tissues.

A hormone released from the posterior pituitary, regulating water balance and blood pressure, controlled by the SOHT.

Another hormone secreted from the posterior pituitary, influencing milk release and uterine contractions, also controlled by the SOHT.

A key brain structure involved in regulating emotions, motivation, and the release of hormones. It's interconnected with various pathways, including the ST and VAFP.

This is the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, responsible for storing and releasing hormones produced in the hypothalamus, particularly ADH and OXY.

The hypothalamus is divided into three regions along the anteroposterior axis: Anterior (Chiasmatic), Intermediate (Tuberal), and Posterior (Mamillary).

The preoptic region, anterior (supraoptic) region, middle (tuberal) region, and posterior (mammillary) region.

The chief neural output of the hypothalamus is the release of hormones that act on the anterior pituitary gland.

The hypophyseal portal system is a vascular connection between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland. It is a critical pathway for releasing and inhibiting hormones from the hypothalamus to reach and regulate the anterior pituitary.

The preoptic and anterior regions of the hypothalamus are associated with parasympathomimetic activity.

The posterior region of the hypothalamus is associated with sympathomimetic activity.

The preoptic and anterior hypothalamus regulate heat dissipation, while the posterior hypothalamus regulates heat conservation.

The hypothalamus is involved in regulating several important hormones, water balance, sleep-wake cycles, and emotional responses. However, it's important to note that specific parts of the hypothalamus are not isolated for each function. The regulation of these processes involves a complex interplay between different hypothalamic nuclei.

A pathway in the brain responsible for transporting neurotransmitters, like releasing and inhibiting hormones, from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary gland. These hormones, in turn, control the synthesis and secretion of anterior pituitary hormones.

This pathway consists of nerve fibers that transmit information about light conditions from the retina to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, playing a crucial role in regulating circadian rhythms.

The region at the base of the hypothalamus where releasing and inhibiting hormones are released into the hypophyseal portal system. This system acts as a bridge between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary.

These are hormones produced by the hypothalamus that regulate the release of hormones from the anterior pituitary gland.

These are hormones produced by the hypothalamus that inhibit the release of hormones from the anterior pituitary gland.

A network of blood vessels that connect the median eminence of the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary gland.

Located in the hypothalamus, this nucleus is the primary site for regulating circadian rhythms, including sleep-wake cycles.

Afferent fibers carry information towards the central nervous system, while efferent fibers carry information away from the central nervous system.

The hypothalamus is a small brain region located beneath the thalamus, responsible for key functions like hunger, thirst, body temperature, and sleep cycles.

The hypothalamus controls hormone release from the anterior pituitary gland through specialized pathways and releasing/inhibiting hormones.

The hypothalamus receives input from various parts of the brain and body, such as the limbic system, sensory organs, and autonomic nervous system.

The hypothalamus sends signals to other areas including the autonomic nervous system, influencing heart rate, digestion, and other involuntary processes.

The hypothalamus regulates hunger and satiety by sensing blood sugar levels and sending signals to the brain.

Circumventricular organs are areas in the brain that lack the blood-brain barrier, allowing direct communication between the brain and blood.

Lesions, or damage, to the hypothalamus can disrupt crucial functions like eating, sleeping, temperature regulation, and sexual behavior.

The hypothalamus plays a critical role in regulating circadian rhythms by influencing the release of melatonin and other hormones.

The lateral and medial preoptic nuclei are rostral extensions of the lateral and medial hypothalamic areas respectively. They are embryologically derived from the telencephalon, whereas the rest of the hypothalamus is derived from the diencephalon. However, they are functionally part of the hypothalamus.

The preoptic nuclei include the lateral preoptic nucleus (LPN) and the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN).

The hypothalamus is involved in regulating several important hormones, water balance, sleep-wake cycles, and emotional responses. However, it's important to note that specific parts of the hypothalamus are not isolated for each function. The regulation of these processes involves a complex interplay between different hypothalamic nuclei.

The supraoptic nucleus, located in the hypothalamus, is responsible for producing and releasing antidiuretic hormone (ADH). This hormone is essential for regulating water balance in the body, preventing dehydration and maintaining blood pressure.

The paraventricular nucleus, another part of the hypothalamus, releases oxytocin, a hormone crucial for social bonding, maternal care, and milk production. It also produces ADH and hormones that regulate stress response and metabolism.

The anterior hypothalamic nucleus, positioned in the anterior part of the hypothalamus, plays a key role in thermoregulation. It helps cool down the body by stimulating sweating and panting.

The suprachiasmatic nucleus, located in the hypothalamus, acts as the body's biological clock, controlling circadian rhythms. These rhythms regulate sleep-wake cycles, hormone release, feeding, and body temperature.

Located in the tuberal region of the hypothalamus, the lateral hypothalamic nucleus is associated with hunger and thirst, stimulating appetite and promoting food-seeking behavior.

Also found in the tuberal region, the dorsal medial nucleus is involved in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility, influencing the movement of food through the digestive system.

The ventral medial nucleus, located in the tuberal region of the hypothalamus, helps regulate satiety, stopping us from feeling hungry after we eat. It also plays a role in controlling aggressive behavior.

The periventricular nucleus is a part of the hypothalamus involved in fear and escape responses. It also releases somatostatin, a hormone that inhibits growth hormone production.

The area postrema (the only paired circumventricular organ) is considered the chemical trigger zone and is involved in the central emetic response.

The organum vascularum of the laminar terminalis (OVLT) appears to be involved in neuroendocrine functions.

The site of ADH and OXY secretion.

The Subfornical Organ is involved with water balance.

Synthesizes and secretes melatonin.

These areas are equipped with a fenestrated vasculature rather than a continuous vasculature.

The Tuberohypophyseal Tract (THT) is a pathway that carries releasing and inhibiting hormones from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary gland. These hormones regulate the synthesis and secretion of anterior pituitary hormones like growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and prolactin.

The Retinohypothalamic Tract (RHT) is a pathway that transmits light information from the retina to the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. This helps regulate circadian rhythms, like sleep-wake cycles, adjusting to light changes in the environment.

The Median Eminence is a region at the base of the hypothalamus where releasing and inhibiting hormones are released into the hypophyseal portal system. This system serves as a bridge between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary, allowing for communication via hormones.

Releasing Hormones are secreted by the hypothalamus and stimulate the release of specific hormones from the anterior pituitary gland. For example, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary.

Inhibiting Hormones are secreted by the hypothalamus to suppress the release of specific hormones from the anterior pituitary gland. For example, Somatostatin inhibits the release of growth hormone.

The Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN) is located in the hypothalamus and is the primary regulator of circadian rhythms. It receives light information from the RHT and controls the release of melatonin, a hormone that influences sleep cycles.

Afferent fibers carry information toward the central nervous system (CNS), while efferent fibers carry information away from the CNS. In the context of the hypothalamus, afferent fibers bring information from the body and brain to the hypothalamus, whereas efferent fibers carry signals from the hypothalamus to other parts of the body and brain.

A bundle of nerve fibers connecting the amygdala, basal forebrain, and striatum to the brain stem. It's involved in appetite control, sleep, olfaction, depression, pleasure, and autonomic regulation.

A pathway connecting the hippocampus to the hypothalamus and other brain areas, playing a key role in memory and learning.

A tract responsible for transmitting signals from the hypothalamus to brainstem regions, influencing autonomic control.

A pathway that connects the mammillary bodies to the thalamus, crucial for memory and learning.

The ventral medial nucleus (VMN) is a region in the hypothalamus associated with satiety (feeling full) and the suppression of hunger. It plays a critical role in regulating food intake.

The lateral hypothalamic area is known as the orexogenic area, responsible for stimulating hunger and promoting food-seeking behavior. It is involved in appetite regulation and the initiation of eating.

The mammillary nuclei, located in the posterior region of the hypothalamus, function as part of the limbic system and play a crucial role in memory consolidation and retrieval.

The posterior hypothalamic nucleus is involved in thermoregulation, specifically in heat conservation. It helps maintain body temperature during cold conditions by promoting shivering and vasoconstriction.

The periventricular nucleus, located in the hypothalamus, plays a role in regulating fear and escape responses. It also secretes somatostatin, a hormone that inhibits the release of growth hormone.

The arcuate nucleus is responsible for the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a key hormone involved in regulating the reproductive system. It also secretes growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and dopamine, which inhibits prolactin release.

The preoptic area is another region in the hypothalamus involved in the secretion of GnRH, contributing to the regulation of reproductive processes.

The middle region of the hypothalamus is the primary regulator of endocrine activity, controlling the release of various hormones that influence bodily functions.

A nucleus in the hypothalamus involved in controlling various functions like bladder contraction, decreased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and erectile function in males.

A nucleus in the hypothalamus that plays a key role in erections in males.

The lateral hypothalamic nucleus is the "orexigenic area" of the hypothalamus. It also helps regulate thirst.

Located in the hypothalamus, the Supraoptic Nucleus (SON) is responsible for producing and releasing ADH and OXY.

The Anterior Hypothalamic Nucleus (AHN) plays a crucial role in thermoregulation, specifically cooling the body.

The Paraventricular Nucleus (PVN) releases important hormones such as OXY, ADH, CRH, and TRH.

The Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus acts as the body's internal clock, regulating circadian rhythms like sleep-wake cycles, body temperature, and hormone release.

The preoptic and anterior regions of the hypothalamus regulate most of the parasympathomimetic activity, while the posterior region is involved in the regulation of sympathomimetic activity.

The hypothalamus releases hormones into the bloodstream, which then travel to the anterior pituitary gland, influencing the release of other hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and reproduction.