By :

Dr. Edy Suwarso, S.U., Apt.

HYPOTHALAMUS

The hypothalamus is a portion of the

brain that contains a number of small
nuclei with a variety functions.
One of the most important functions of
the hypothalamus is to link the nervous
system in the endocrine system via
the pituitary gland (hypophysis).
The hypothalamus is located below the
thalamus, just above the brain stem.
In the terminology of neuroanatomy, it forms
the ventral part of the diencephalon.
 The hypothalamus is responsible for
certain metabolic processes and
other activities of the Autonomic
Nervous System.
It synthesizes and secretes neurohormones,
often called hypothalamic-releasing hormones,
and these in turn stimulate or inhibit the
secretion of pituitary hormones.
The hypothalamus controls: body
temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue and
circadian cycles.
1. OLFACTORY STIMULI

Olfactory stimuli are important for sex

and neuroendocrine function in any
species.
Pheromonal cues aid synchronization
of oestrus in many species, in
women , synchronized menstruation
my also arise from pheromonal cues.
2. BLOOD-BORNE STIMULI

Peptide hormones have important

influences upon the hypothalamus,
and to do so they must evade the
blood-brain barrier

The hypothalamus function as a type of

thermostat for the body.
3. STEROIDS

The hypothalamus contains neurons that

react strongly to steroids and
glucocorticoids {the steroid hormones of
the adrenal gland, released in response
to ACTH (sdrenocorticotropic hormone)

The preoptic area contains

thermosensitive neurons; these are
important for TRH (thyrotropin-
releasing hormone) secretion
4. NEURAL INPUT
The hypothalamus receives many
inputs from the brainstem; notably from
the nucleus of the solitary tract, the
locus coeruleus, and the ventrolateral
medulla.
Stimulation of the nipples stimulates
release of oxytocin and prolactin and
suppresses the release of LH
(luteinizing hormone) and FSH
(follicle-stimulating hormone).
5. NUCLEI

A cross section of the monkey

hypothalamus displays 2 of the major
hypothalamic nuclei on either side of
the fluid-filled 3rd ventricle.
 Tabel 1. Fuction of hypothalamic cell

Region Area Nucleus Function

Anterior Medial Medial preoptic nucleus - urinary bladder contraction
- Decreased heart rate
- Decreased blood pressure

Supraoptic nucleus (SO) - oxytocin release

- vasopressin release

Paraventricular nucleus (PV) - oxytocin release

- vasopressin release

Anterior hypothalamic - thermoregulation

nucleus (AH) - panting
- sweating
- thyrotropin inhibition

Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SC) - vasopressin release

- Circadian rhythms
Region Area Nucleus Function

Lateral Lateral preoptic nucleus

Lateral nucleus (LT) - thirst and hunger

Part of supraoptic - vasopressin release

nucleus (SO)

Tuberal Medial Dorsomedial hypothalamic - GI Stimulation

nucleus (DM)

Ventromedial nucleus - Satiety

(VM) - neuroendocrine control

- Lutenizing hormone R.H.

release
- Follicle stimulating
hormone rekeasing factor

Arcuate nucleus (AR) - feeding

- dopamine
- GHRH
Region Area Nucleus Function

Lateral Lateral Nucleus (LT) - thist and hunger

lateral tuberal nuklei

Mammillary nuclei (part of - memory
mammillary bodies) (MB)

Posterior Medial Posterior nucleus (PN) - increase blood pressure

- papillary dilation
- shivering

Lateral Lateral nucleus (LT)

See also: ventrolateral
preoptic nucleus.

Hypothalamic nuclei on one side of the

hypothalamus, shown in a 3-D computer
reconstruction.