Hypothalamus Flashcards
what is the hypothalamus
- maintains homeostasis
- coordinates endocrine, autonomic and behavioral functions
- Regulates reactions to stress, growth/development, reproduction
Where are the hypothalamic nuclei located
lie along the midline on ventral side of brain
what are the three anterior-posterior divisions
chiasmatic
tuberal
mammillary
what are the three medio-lateral divisions
perventricular nucleus
medial nucleus
lateral hypothalamic area
where is the chiasmatic region located
lies above the optic chiasm
what are the functions of the chiasmatic region
thermoregulation
sexual behavior
generation of circadian rhythms
where does the chiasmatic region project to
brainstem
spinal cord
pituitary
where is the tuberal region located
lies above the infundibulum
what are the functions of the tuberal region
food intake
emotional behavior
where does the tuberal region project to
brainstem
spinal cord
pituitary
where is the mammillary region located
lies above the mammillary bodies
what are the functions of the mammillary region
sleep regulation
thermoregulation
memory
where does the mammillary region project to
brainstem
spinal cord
thalamus
where is the periventricular nucleus located
located lateral and ventral to the third ventricle
where is the medial hypothalamic nuclei located
lateral to the periventricular nucleus and medial to the fornix
describe the lateral hypothalamic area
- sparse, diffusely organized cells
- interspersed with axons of the medial forebrain bundle
- involved in behavioral arousal and shifts in attention
what does the dorsal longitudinal fasiculus carry
- visceral sensory axons from reticular formation –> hypothalamus
- input from locus coeruleus (NE) and Raphe nuclei (serotonin)
- Efferent hypothalamic axons –> preganglionic autonomic NS
what is the medial forebrain bundle
relays information between cortex, hypothalamus, and brainstem
what are the afferent pathways of the fornix
hippocampus –> mammillary bodies and hypothalamus + areas in the basal forebrain region
what are the afferent pathways of the stria terminalis
amygdala –> hypothalamus
what are the visceral inputs
reticular formation
nucleus of the solitary tract (receives input from VII, IX, X)
what are the neuromodulatory inputs
locus coeruleus
raphe nuclei
where is the relatively unprocessed sensory input from
retina (retinal ganglion cells to the suprachiasmatic nucleus)
olfactory bulb
olfactory cortex
where is the highly processed sensory input from
amygdala
hippocampus
cingulate gyrus
prefrontal cortex
related to emotionally significant and memorable events
