Hypothalamus Flashcards

1
Q

Name some of the main body functions that are under hypothalamus control

A
  • Body temperature and the febrile response
  • Food, salt, and water intake
  • Sexual cycles, sexual orientation, and the onset of sexual milestones
  • Circadian rhythms
  • Sleep
  • Body weight
  • Stress response
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2
Q

The hypothalamus is divided by the _____ into medial and lateral zones

A

fornix

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3
Q

hypothalamic nucleus that integrates sensory information needed to judge deviations from set points and is involved in thermoregulation, salt & water intake, and sleep

A

preoptic nucleus

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4
Q

hypothalamic nucleus that contains glucose-sensing neurons and is the key player in directly interfacing with the endocrine and autonomic systems

A

paraventricular nucleus

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5
Q

lateral hypothalamic nuclei that contain osmosensitive neurons and are an important area in humans for the
release of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone)

A

supraoptic nuclei

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6
Q

midline nucleus responsible for generating circadian rhythms for hormone release (governing body temperature, sexual behavior, and cycles of activity)

A

suprachiasmatic nucleus

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7
Q

anterior hypothalamic nuclei that differ in their shape and cell number between men and women and are thought to be involved in sexual orientaiton; they also contain thermosensitive neurons

A

sexually dimorphic nuclei

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8
Q

nucleus located in either side of the IIIrd ventricle and are involved in apetitie and consumption (key player in feedin behavior!)

A

acruate nucleus

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9
Q

stimulating this area of the hypothalamus causes a desire to eat

A

lateral hypothalamic area (LHA)

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10
Q

nucleus that regulates satiety

A

ventromedial nucleus

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11
Q

nucleus that appears to be involved in regulating complex integrative control of growth, feeding, maturation, and aspects of reproduction

A

dorsomedial nucleus

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12
Q

All histaminergic axons in the CNS originate from this nucleus of the posterior hypothalamus, regulating the maintenance of wakefulness, sleep, and circadian rhythms

A

tuberomammillary nucleus

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13
Q

prominent hypothalamic fiber tract that connects the mammillary bodies with the hippocampal
formation. degenerative changes in this area are believed to be responsible for the amnesia and confusion seen in alcoholism (Korsakoff’s syndrome)

A

fornix

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14
Q

degenerative changes in the fornix are believed to be responsible for the amnesia and confusion seen in alcoholism, and this is known as what condition?

A

Korsakoff’s syndrome

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15
Q

where does the mammillotegmental tract project to?

A

dorsal midbrain

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16
Q

This diffuse longitudinal fiber tract runs through the lateral hypothalamus, connecting the hypothalamus to the brainstem below, and the basal forebrain, amygdala, and cerebral cortex above

A

medial forebrain bundle

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17
Q

Damage to what tract of the hypothalamus is thought to affect appetite, as it contains lateral hypothalamic fibers?

A

medial forebrain bundle

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18
Q

The ______ (or pituitary stalk) connects the underside of the hypothalamus with the pituitary gland

A

infundibulum

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19
Q

A bundle of axons running from the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nuclei to the posterior pituitary, via the pituitary stalk, constitutes what tract?

A

hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract

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20
Q

Dopamine released from the tuberoinfundibular tract regulates the secretion of what hormone from the anterior pituitary gland?

A

prolactin

21
Q

Damage to the optic chiasm results in this condition, commonly known as tunnel vision, and is often
the first reported clinical sign of hypothalamic and pituitary tumors.

A

bitemporal hemianopsia

22
Q

retinal, olfactory, spinothalamic and viscerosensory are all types of ____ sensory input, that convey information to the hypothalamus from the internal and external environment.

A

neural

23
Q

special neurons that sense changes in circulating metabolites, hormone and steroid receptors, and blood/CSF sampling CVOs (circumventricular organs) are all types of hypothalamic _____ input.

A

chemosensory

24
Q

specialized structures that lack a blood-brain barrier, and are thought to “sample” blood/CSF and transmit information on solute concentrations to the hypothalamus

A

circumventricular organs (CVOs)

25
Q

Name 3 circumventrical organs and their function

A

SFO (subfornical organs): sensitive to CSF and angiotensin II
VOLT(vascular organ of the lamina terminalis): senses osmolality
ME (median eminence): main blood brain barrier crossing site for hormones, peptides and other signalling molecules on their way to the hypothalamus

26
Q

what are the 3 major outputs of the hypothalamus?

A

anterior pituitary
posterior pituitary
preganglionic autonomic efferents
(also sends branches thorughout the cerebral cortex, basal forebrain and amygdala)

27
Q

Axons of small, neurosecretory cells called _______ cells travel to the median eminence, where releasing hormones are released into the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system

A

parvocellular

28
Q

this is the primary control center for descending pain modulation

A

periaqueductal gray (PAG)

29
Q

hypothalamic axons destined for brainstem targets travel in a diffuse pathway located in the PAG called the _____.

A

DLF (dorsal longitudinal fasciculus)

30
Q

these axons to preganglionic neurons can influence blood pressure, sweating, vasoconstriction and release of epinephrine and norepinephrine.

A

Hypothalamospinal axons

31
Q

located along the ventral midline in the medulla, this nucleus is the main pattern generator for thermogenesis, and left to its own devices would promote responses that heat the body.

A

nucleus raphe pallidus (RPa)

32
Q

the nucleus raphe pallidus (RPa) receives inhibitory inputs from the heat sensitive _____ hypothalamus, and
excitatory inputs from the cold sensitive _____ hypothalamus.

A

anterior; posterior

33
Q

Lesions affecting the anterior hypothalamus lead to _____ due to loss of inhibitory control over thermogenesis.

A

hyperthermia

34
Q

Lesions affecting the posterior hypothalamus lead to ______ due to loss of inhibitory control over thermogenesis.

A

hypothermia

35
Q

Prostaglandins, produced in response to bacterial endotoxins, bind to receptors on ______ neurons, which normally inhibit thermogenesis, and this causes an elevation in the “warm response” set point.

A

MPOA (medial preoptic area) neurons

36
Q

this nucleus,involved in circadian rhythm, controls melatonin secretion by the pineal gland, through influencing the sympathetic nervous system

A

suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

37
Q

Lesions to the ventrolateral preoptic (VLPO) nuclei in the anterior hypothalamus produce what clinical sign?

A

insomnia

38
Q

Lesions to the posterior hypothalamus lead to profound sleepiness, due to a loss of what type of neurons in the lateral hypothalamus that are thought to keep the “switch” in the awake position?

A

orexin-containing neurons

39
Q

What effect does POMC have on LH, via the MC4 receptor? What peptide blockades this pathway?

A

inhibitory;

blockaded by NPY

40
Q

What hormone stimulates NPY (orexigenic neurons), shutting down the inhibitory POMC pathway and stimulating appetite?

A

Ghrelin

41
Q

Hormone produced by the duodenum that is associated with breaking down fat, and excites POMC neurons, suppressing appetite

A

Cholecystekinin

42
Q

Hormone produced by white fat, that tells the brain about body mass; it sends excitatory signals to POMC neurons, suppressing appetite

A

Leptin

43
Q

Loss of inhibition of feeding in obese individuals may be due to what kind of resistance (similar to insulin resistance in type II diabetes)?

A

Leptin

44
Q

the strength of inputs to POMC neurons from what nucleus becomes increasingly diminished with fasting?

A

VMN (ventromedial nucleus)

45
Q

Lesions of the medial hypothalamus, particularly its ventral part, result in ______ while lesions of the lateral hypothalamus result in _______.

A

hyperphagia (unctonrollable appetite); aphagia (no appetite)

46
Q

Baroreceptors –> ______ –> median preoptic area –> supraoptic and paraventricular
nuclei –> ______ release from posterior pituitary –> blocks loss of water by increasing reabsorption in kidney

A

NTS;

vasopressin

47
Q

In addition to signalling vasopressin release through the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, SFO (subfurnical organ) signals this area of the hypothalamus, to promote drinking behavior

A

lateral hypothalamus

48
Q

Decreased serum osmolality activates _______, signaling the anterior hypothalamus to increase salt appetite via the lateral hypothalamus.

A

vascular organ of the lamina terminalis (VOLT)

49
Q

the hypothalamus controls the onset of reproductive milestones and reproductive cycles via what axis?

A

hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis