hypothalamus

American  

[hahy-puh-thal-uh-muhs] / ˌhaɪ pəˈθæl ə məs /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

hypothalami

1. a region of the brain, between the thalamus and the midbrain, that functions as the main control center for the autonomic nervous system by regulating sleep cycles, body temperature, appetite, etc., and that acts as an endocrine gland by producing hormones, including the releasing factors that control the hormonal secretions of the pituitary gland.

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hypothalamus British  

/ ˌhaɪpəθəˈlæmɪk, ˌhaɪpəˈθæləməs /

noun

1. a neural control centre at the base of the brain, concerned with hunger, thirst, satiety, and other autonomic functions

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hypothalamus Scientific  

/ hī′pō-thăl′ə-məs /

1. The part of the brain in vertebrate animals that lies below the thalamus and cerebrum. The hypothalamus controls the autonomic nervous system and the secretion of hormones by the pituitary gland. Through these nerve and hormone channels, the hypothalamus regulates many vital biological processes, including body temperature, blood pressure, thirst, hunger, and the sleep-wake cycle.

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hypothalamus Cultural  

1. The part of the brain that controls hunger, thirst, and body temperature and regulates various activities in the body connected with metabolism, including the maintaining of water balance. The hypothalamus also controls the action of the pituitary gland.

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Other Word Forms

• hypothalamic adjective

Etymology

Origin of hypothalamus

From New Latin, dating back to 1895–1900; see origin at hypo-, thalamus

Compare meaning

How does hypothalamus compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hypothalamus vs. thalamus

Example Sentences

Researchers from the University of Concepción in Chile, working with colleagues at the University of Maryland, uncovered a previously unknown signaling pathway in the hypothalamus, the brain region that controls hunger and fullness.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

GLP-1 receptors are expressed not just in the pancreas and stomach, but throughout the vagus nerve, the brain stem, and the hypothalamus.

From Slate • Mar. 22, 2026

Sitting just underneath the hypothalamus is the body's hormone factory - the pituitary gland.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2024

The parietal cortex — along with the hypothalamus and medulla — contains GLP-1 receptors.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2024

What touches off this decline isn’t clear, Imai says, but the culprit could be age-related inflammation in the hypothalamus, the white adipose tissue, or both.

From Science Magazine • May 22, 2024