Hypothalamus Flashcards
Vascular organ of the lamina terminalis forms the lateral wall of the ________.
3rd ventricle
_______ and ___________ are soecialized brain structures with the ability to “sample” outside of the BBB. They can monitor CSF and blood.
Subfornical organ and OVLT (Vascular organ of the lamina terminalis)
There’s a tract directly from the retina called the ____________ that provides the hypothalamus with information about light.
Retino-hypothalamic tract
_________ is an important structure for communication between the hypothalamus and pituatary.
Median eminence
The _________ is a very large fiber tract in the hypothalamus, which is an output from the hippocampus to the hypothalamus. It’s a very visible landmard, extending out in lateral direction.
fornix
the anterior hypothalamus is marked by the __________. Which structures are found in this area?
chiasm
OVLT
Anterior nucleus
Preoptic area
The OVLT is surround by ________ neurons.
GnRH
*Involved in gonad regulation, regulating the mestrual cycle, voulation, testoterone levels
What does the anterior nucleus detect?
Overheating of the body and regulates the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and testosterone
What is the function of the medial preoptic area?
Involved in sleep and communicates with vasopressin neurons for water balance
NOTE: This area also has the sexually dimorphic nucleus, which is larger in males than in women
Primary regulator of circadian rhythms
Suprachiasmatic nucleus
*Sits right above the optic chiasm
- At night the system releases melatonin
Where is the paraventricular nucleus located?
Around the 3rd ventricle
The supraoptic nucleus ahs two populations of magnocellular neurons, which produce either _______ or _______.
Oxytocin vasopressin via the posterior pituatary
Parvicellular oxytocin neurons are implicated in ________ and _________.
Social bonding and love
*Parvicellular neurons are found in paraventricular nucleus
What are the functions of the ventromedial nucleus of the mediobasal hypothalamus?
- Reuglates female sexual behavior
- Major contributor to regulation of feeding
REMEMBER: The preoptic area regulates male sexual behavior
What is the function of the arcuate nucleus?
- Primary regulator of feeding behavior
- Detection of solutes across the BBB
What is the responsibility of the posterior nucleus of the posterior hypothalamus?
Thermoregulation in that it controls shivering and heat retention
The main tracts from the limbic system to the hpothalamus come from what structure?
Mamillary bodies
Which hypothalamic nucleus is associated with the anterior pituatary?
Paraventricular nucleus (Parvicellular neurons)
*Inhibits hormones released by the anterior pituatary
Anterior pituitary receives its signal from these _______ neurons, as to whether or not it should produce hormone.
Parvicellular
Which hypothalamic nucleus is primarily important in autonomics?
Paraventricular nucleus
Descending autonomic tracts stem from the paraventricular nucleus. They control ____________ (parsympathetic/ sympathic )preganglionic neurons in the brainstem and _________(parasympathetic/sympathetic) in the spinal cord.
Parasympathetic; sympathetic
Descending hypothalmic sympathetic fibers run along with the _________.
Spinothalamic tract
Anterior hypothalamic neurons regulate responsed to ___________ body temp, and posterior hypothalamic neurons regulate responsed to ________ body temp.
increased; decreased
