Physiology · Central Nervous System

Hypothalamic regulation of body functions

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Definition

  • Hypothalamus lies beside the third ventricle, forms the diencephalon with thalamus and subthalamus.
  • Hypothalamus weightabout 10 g
  • It controls homeostatic and visceral functions via connections with the brain and pituitary.

Functional Anatomy

Hypothalamic nuclear groups

Group

Anterior

Nuclei
Preoptic, supraoptic, paraventricular

Middle

Nuclei
Tuberal, arcuate, ventromedial, dorsomedial

Posterior

Nuclei
Supramamillary, mammillary, posterior hypothalamic

Lateral

Nuclei
Lateral preoptic area, lateral hypothalamic

Major connections of hypothalamus