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The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis within the body. It regulates thirst, water balance, hunger, body temperature, the autonomic nervous system, and sexual urges. Additionally, it controls the release of hormones from the anterior and posterior pituitary glands, both of which store hormones synthesized in the hypothalamus.
Nucleus | Function | Effects of Destruction | Mnemonic |
---|---|---|---|
Lateral nucleus | Controls hunger, stimulated by ghrelin, inhibited by leptin | Anorexia, failure to thrive in infants | Lateral injury makes you Lean |
Ventromedial nucleus | Controls satiety, stimulated by leptin | Hyperphagia (e.g., craniopharyngioma) | VentroMedial injury makes you Very Massive |
Anterior nucleus | Regulates cooling, parasympathetic function | Impaired cooling | A/C = Anterior Cooling |
Posterior nucleus | Regulates heating, sympathetic function | Impaired heating | Hot Pot = Posterior Heating |
Suprachiasmatic nucleus | Controls circadian rhythm | Disturbances in sleep-wake cycles | SCN is a Sun-Censing Nucleus |
Supraoptic & Paraventricular nuclei | Synthesize ADH (antidiuretic hormone) and oxytocin | Deficiency in ADH and oxytocin | SAD POX: Supraoptic = ADH, Paraventricular = OXytocin |
Preoptic nucleus | Controls thermoregulation and sexual behavior | Linked to Kallmann syndrome |