Hypothalamus

Question 1

What is the main function of the hypothalamus?

Answer 1

Homeostasis

Question 2

Which region of the hypothalamus is most anterior?

Answer 2

The supraoptic

Question 3

Which region of the hypothalamus is the most posterior?

Answer 3

The mammillary

Question 4

What are the functions of the hypothalamus?

Answer 4

1) controls the release of 8 major hormones
2) Temp regulation
3) Food and water intake
4) Sexual behavior and reproduction
5) Control of daily cycles in physiological behavior
6) mediation of emotional responses

Question 5

What are the inputs to the hypothalamus?

Answer 5

1) Nucleus of the solitary tract (visceral sensory from 10)
2) Reticular formation
3) Retina
4) Circumventricular organs (CVOs)
5) Limbic and olfactory systems
6) Intrinsic receptors

Question 6

What are the outputs of the hypothalamus?

Answer 6

1) neural signals to the autonomic system

2) Endocrine signals to/through the pituitary

Question 7

What does the posterior pituitary release?

Answer 7

Oxytocin and vasopressin (ADH)

Question 8

Where is the master circadian clock?

Answer 8

Suprachiasmatic nucleus

Question 9

SCN neurons inhibit ________

Answer 9

PVN

Question 10

the _______ cells normally activate sympathetics that project to the __________ gland and cause melatonin secretion that causes drowsiness

Answer 10

PVN; pineal gland

Question 11

What is the fornix?

Answer 11

a fiber tract that originates in the hippocampus and courses rostral along a C-shaped course next to the lateral ventricle, then enters the hypothalamus where it terminates in the mammillary bodies

Question 12

Once Releasing Factors are released from the arcuate nucleus they travel through _____.

Answer 12

They are secreted into the median eminence and the infundibulum