HYPOTHALAMUS

• Latin word
• Hypo- below
• Thalamus – room or chamber
• Diffuse nuclear mass below
thalamus
• A small cone-shaped structure,
it projects downward, ending in
the pituitary stalk.


 Separated from thalamus by hypothalamic

sulcus and medial border is illdefined which
separates hypothalamus from subthalamus.
 4 grams in weight.
 Contains clustered set of nuclei which has
diffuse connections with cortex, basal
forebrain, limbic structures, brain stem nuclei.
 Hypothalamus acts as integrator of autonomic &
endocrine functions with behavior.


 It was called as head ganglion of autonomic

nervous system.
 Regulation of five basic physiologic needs.
- Blood pressure , ECF osmolality
- Body temperature
- Energy metabolism
- Reproduction
- Responses to stress
 Divided into 3
regions:
Anterior region: preoptic region
- Supra chiasmatic nucleus
- Preoptic nucleus

Middle region :
-Dorsomedial nucleus
- Ventromedial nucleus
- Paraventricular nucleus
- Supraoptic nucleus
- Arcuate nucleus

Posterior region:
- Mamillary bodies
 HYPOTHALAMIC
NUCLEI
• Supraoptic nucleus  Synthesize Vasopressin (ADH)
• Suprachiasmatic N  Control Circadian rhythm
• Para-ventricular N  Synthesize Oxytocin
 Punishment center
• Pre-optic & anterior N  Parasympathetic control
• Posterior & lateral N  Sympathetic control
 Rage center
• Anterior hypothalamic N  Response to heat
• Posterior hypothalamic N  Response to cold
 HYPOTHALAMIC
NUCLEI
• Lateral hypothalamic N  Punishment center
 Hunger center
 Thirst center
• Ventro-medial hypothalamic N  Satiety center
 Reward center
• Hypothalamus send output signals into three directions:
1. Downward to reticular areas of mesencephalons, pons and
medulla  Peripheral nerves
2. Upward to higher areas of diencephalon and cerebrum
3. To hypothalamic infundibulum  control anterior & posterior
pituitary gland
 FUNCTIO
N

• Vegetative function
• Endocrine control function
• Behavioral control function
 VEGETATIVE FUNCTION

1. Cardiovascular regulation:
• Stimulation of posterior and lateral hypothalamus  increase
arterial pressure and heart rate
• Stimulation of preoptic area  decrease arterial pressure and
heart rate
 VEGETATIVE FUNCTION

2. Regulation of body temperature:

• Increase in temperature  stimulate temperature-sensitive
neuron in anterior hypothalamus  causing heat loss
• Decrease in temperature  stimulate temperature-sensitive
neuron in posterior hypothalamus  heat gain center
 VEGETATIVE & ENDOCRINE
FUNCTION
3. Regulation of body water:
1. Thirst center activation  lateral hypothalamus
2. Excretion of water  supraoptic nucleus
 VEGETATIVE & ENDOCRINE
FUNCTION
4. Regulation of uterine contractility & milk ejection from
breasts:

• Stimulation of Paraventricular nuclei causes neuronal cells to

secrete oxytocin
 ENDOCRINE
FUNCTION
• The most important functions of the hypothalamus is to
link the nervous system to the endocrine system via the
pituitary gland.
• Neurohormones  hypothalamic-releasing hormones 
stimulate or inhibit the secretion of pituitary hormones
REGULATION OF HORMONAL
SECRETION Higher centres

Hypothalamus

Short feedback Releasing hormone

Loop
eg. LH, ACTH,
GH Pituitary
Long feedback
Pituitary hormone Loop
eg. Thyroxine,
Target gland Cortisol

Hormone
 HYPOTHALAMIC
HORMONES
• CRH: Corticotrophin releasing
• TRH:
• GHRH: hormone (ACTH) Thyrotrophin releasing
• GnRH: hormone
• Dopamine: GH releasing hormone
• Vasopressi Gonadotrophin (LH, FSH)
n
• Oxytocin releasing hormone Prolactin inhibition
 BEHAVIORAL
FUNCTION
• Para-ventricular N Punishment
center
• Lateral hypothalamic N

• Posterior & lateral N  Rage center

• Ventro-medial hypothalamic N  Reward center
 RAG
E excessive stimulation of
• Emotional pattern that causes
punishment center in Posterior nucleus of hypothalamus.
• Inhibited by cerebral cortex
 SHAM
RAGE
• Generalized sympathetic over activity
• Loss of inhibitory effect of cerebral cortex
• Effects:
• Tachycardia
• Increase BP
• Pupillary dilatation
• Struggling movements
 HOW HYPOGLYCEMIA PRODUCES
HUNGER
• Satiety center contain Insulin bound glucoreceptors
• In case of hypoglycemia they are not saturated properly
• Activate feeding center
• Person feels hunger
Thank You