Nuclei of the Hypothalamus

Question 1

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Answer 1

Maintains homeostasis by regulating

Thirst and water balance

hunger, autonomic nervous system, temperature, and sexual urges

controlling Adenohypophysis (the anterior pituitary) and Neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary)

Question 2

What is the function of the lateral area of the hypothalamus?

Answer 2

The lateral area of the hypothalamus controls hunger.

Destruction of the lateral area leads to anorexia, failure to thrive (infants). It is stimulated by ghrelin and inhibited by leptin.

“if you zap your latral area, you shrink laterally”

Question 3

What is the function of the ventromedial area of the hypothalamus?

Answer 3

The function of the ventromedial area of the hypothalamus is to regulate satiety. Destruction leads to hyperphagia. It is stimulated by leptin.

If you zap your ventromedial area, you gro ventrally and medially.

Question 4

What is the function of the anterior hypothalamus?

Answer 4

The Anterior hypothalamus regulates cooling and the parasympathetics.

Anterior nucleus= cooling off.

A/C= Anterior cooling

Question 5

What is the function of the posterior hypothalamus?

Answer 5

The posterior hypothalamus controls the sympathetic and heat

Posterior nucleus= get fired up. If you zap your posterior hypothalamus you be come a poikiolotherm *cold-blooded, like a snake)

Question 6

What is the function of the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus?

Answer 6

Circadian rhythm

“you need sleep to be charismatic (chiasmatic)”

Question 7

What is the function of the supraoptic and paracentricular nuclei of the hypothalamus?

Answer 7

Synthesize ADH and oxytocin

ADH and oxytocin are carried by nerophysins down axons to the posterior pituitary where they are stored and released.