The hypothalamus is a small structure in the brain that does not, however, play a minor role. It is responsible for homeostasis, i.e. the balance of the whole organism, and is involved in many neuropsychological processes. In the hypothalamus, nerve signals are converted into biochemical signals, thanks to which various mental processes can alter the physiological functions of the body.

The hypothalamusis the subcortical part of the brain that belongs to the diencephalon. It is located between the basal part of the forebrain and the ventral part of the midbrain, below the thalamus. It is comparable in size to a walnut.

The hypothalamus is responsible for many processes in our body. In the hypothalamus, the nervous and endocrine systems communicate, in other words, it is here that nerve signals are converted into biochemical signals. But not only.

The hypothalamus is the main governing body of our body. It integrates the activities of three different systems:

  • somatic nervous system
  • of the vegetative nervous system
  • endocrine system

It performs its regulatory functions through the autonomic nervous system (through the brainstem and spinal cord), the limbic system and the endocrine system (through the pituitary gland).

What processes are responsible for the hypothalamus?

  • controls the secretion of vasopressin and oxytocin
  • influences our emotions (including parental behavior, but also, for example, aggression) because it is part of the limbic system, which is responsible for regulating emotional behavior
  • cares about maintaining intracorporeal homeostasis, i.e. maintaining optimal temperature, energy resources disposal, water and electrolyte management

In simpler terms, the hypothalamus is the center where mental processes convert into biochemical functions of the body - in particular, it is possible thanks to two catecholamines: adrenaline and norepinephrine.

And yes, it depends on the hypothalamus:

  • endocrine gland function
  • body water management (feeling thirsty, preventing dehydration)
  • thermoregulation (maintaining a constant temperature)
  • food intake and processing (feeling hungry and full)
  • management of sleep periods andstandby

The hypothalamus is also responsible for sexual function (cycles of the reproductive system, drive) and emotional responses.

Hormones produced by the hypothalamus

The hypothalamus produces a number of hormones, the most important being oxytocin and vasopressin:

  • oxytocin - affects the reproductive functions of the body, secreted as a result of irritation of the vagina and cervix - it causes, for example, uterine contractions that accelerate the transport of sperm in the female reproductive tract or provoke childbirth, it also affects the amount of milk secreted by a nursing woman.
  • vasopressin - an antidiuretic hormone (ADH) that enhances tubular reabsorption, which helps the body produce less urine

The hypothalamus also secretes hormones that regulate the pituitary gland. They are:

  • liberins - stimulating the pituitary to secrete appropriate hormones, e.g. somatocrinin that increases the secretion of growth hormone (somatotropin)
  • statins - inhibiting the secretion of some pituitary hormones, e.g. somatostatin inhibits the secretion of growth hormone (somatotropin)
Worth knowing

The hypothalamus is also a center of sexual preference. It has different functions in men and women. In men, it regulates the flow of hormones in such a way that they are kept at a constant level. In women, the hypothalamus responds to high levels of the hormone by inhibiting its secretion, and when it is low - stimulating again.

Hypothalamus and pituitary gland

It's impossible to talk about the hypothalamus without mentioning the pituitary gland. These glands are closely related to each other.

The hypothalamus regulates our body's functions through the pituitary gland. They work together on a feedback basis. This is because the hypothalamus controls the concentration of a given hormone in the blood.

If it is on a sufficient level, it stops secreting hormones into the pituitary gland that stimulate the secretion of pituitary hormones. Therefore, the pituitary gland stops producing a given hormone and its level gradually decreases.

If there is too little of a hormone in the blood, the hypothalamus releases its master hormones to the pituitary gland, stimulating it to release its own hormones.

Hypothalamus Anatomy

The hypothalamus is made up of gray matter, mammary bodies, gray tumor, funnel, pituitary nerve (posterior lobe) and the optic junction. They can be divided into anterior, medial, posterior and lateral parts, and these into individual testicles. Each of them has its own very important functions.
1. Anterior hypothalamus

  • suprachiasmatic nucleus - are responsible forsynchronization and regulation of biological rhythm (sleep and wakefulness)
  • supraoptic nucleus - synthesizes and secretes vasopressin and oxytocin
  • paraventricular nucleus - synthesizes and secretes vasopressin and corticoliberin
  • genitourinary nucleus - responsible for the regulation of gonadotropin secretion by the pituitary gland

2. Central (or nodular) part of the hypothalamus

  • ventromedial nucleus - satiety center
  • dorsomedial nucleus
  • nodular nucleus
  • arcuate nucleus - also known as the funnel nucleus, produces hypophysiotropic hormones that regulate the activity of the cells of the anterior pituitary gland

3. Lateral hypothalamus

  • side view
  • lateral area of ​​the hypothalamus, the stimulation of which triggers the appetite, and its destruction causes anorexia

4. Back of the hypothalamus

  • medial and lateral mammary nucleus - connected to the limbic system and hippocampus
  • premubular nucleus
  • posterior nucleus - responsible for temperature regulation
Worth knowing

Experiments on rats have shown that a pleasure center is located in the hypothalamus. Sensory stimuli flow through the hypothalamus to the neural cortex, which is why the hypothalamus is called the subcortical sensory center.

Pathologies in the hypothalamus

Due to the structure of the hypothalamus, as well as its proximity to other important structures, such as the pituitary gland, the arterial circle of the skull base, the third ventricle of the brain, the symptoms of dysfunction of this gland are varied and often very complex. However, they are closely related to the functions of the densocerebrum.

The most common:

  • visual disturbance
  • headaches
  • hormonal disorders (e.g. hyperprolactinaemia, hypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus)
  • neurological symptoms (consequence of hydrocephalus, epilepsy)

We also distinguish benign and malignant hypothalamic tumors of the hamartoma type and vascular malformations.

About the authorMarta Uler A journalist specializing in he alth, beauty and psychology. She is also a diet therapist by education. Her interests are medicine, herbal medicine, yoga, vegetarian cuisine and cats. I am a mother of two boys - a 10-year-old and a 6-month-old.

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