Hypothalamus

About the Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is a small region the size of an almond at the base of the brain below the thalamus, forming the floor and walls of the third ventricle. Despite its small size, it is the master regulatory center for homeostasis. Functions include body temperature regulation anterior hypothalamus responds to heat, posterior to cold, hunger and satiety lateral nucleus hunger, ventromedial satiety, thirst and water balance via osmoreceptors, circadian rhythms suprachiasmatic nucleus, sleep wake cycle, autonomic nervous system regulation sympathetic and parasympathetic, emotional behavior with the limbic system, and endocrine control via releasing hormones to the anterior pituitary. It also produces ADH and oxytocin transported to the posterior pituitary. The hypothalamus integrates signals from hormones, neural inputs, temperature sensors, osmoreceptors, and leptin from fat tissue.