hypothalamus

Question 1

Describe the general anatomical features of the hypothalamus

Answer 1

coordinates behavioral (from cortex hippocampus and amygdala), autonomic (from brainstem), and endocrine responses

functions: hunger and energy balance, thirst and fluid balance, body temp, emotions and stress, reproduction, immune responses

maintains homeostasis

connects to pituitary via infundibulum

Question 2

Explain the role of the hypothalamus as the nexus for three major response systems to optimize survival and physiological adaptations to the environment; behavior, autonomic and endocrine functions

Answer 2

by combining behavior, autonomic, and endocrine it’s able to combine the three into homeostasis

Question 3

Describe the anatomy and functions of the neurophypophysial system in water balance and reproductive functions

Answer 3

originates from supraotic and paraventricular nuclei, projects through infundibulum to posterior pituitary, directly releases hormones of ADH and oxytocin

Question 4

Describe the anatomy and functions of the hypophysial portal system in endocrine functions

Answer 4

originates at arcuate nucleus, projects through tuberoinfundibular tract to release factors in primary capillary plexus (infundibular stem) to secondary capillary plexus (ant pituitary) which then releases hormones into systemic circulation

Question 5

Describe the regions of the hypothalamus that control parasympathetic and sympathetic autonomic functions

Answer 5

parasympathetic is in the anterior and medial regions of hypothalamus

input from cerebral cortex, brainstem, amygdala

outputs to vagus nerve and sacral parasymp n

sympathetic is lateral and posterior regions of hypothalamus

Question 6

Identify the specific hypothalamic nucleus involved in clinically relevant physiological adaptations to the environment, including fluid balance (antidiuretic hormone and diabetes insipidus), reproduction (endocrine disorders such as Kallmann’s syndrome) and affiliative behaviors (oxytocin system), circadian rhythms (seasonal affective disorders, sleep-wake regulation), temperature control and fever, and the stress response.

Answer 6

fluid balance: osmoreceptors to supraotic and paraventricular nuclei, release ADH

repro: paraventricular and supraotic nuclei, release oxytocin

circadian rhythm: suprachiasmatic nucleus

temp control: anterior and posterior hypothalamus

stress respnse: paraventricular nucleus