hypothalamus

[ hahy-puh-thal-uh-muhs ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural hy·po·thal·a·mi [hahy-p, uh, -, thal, -, uh, -mahy].

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.

hypothalamus

/ ˌhaɪpəθəˈlæmɪk; ˌhaɪpəˈθæləməs /

noun

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

hypothalamus

/ 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.

hypothalamus

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 .

Derived Forms

• hypothalamic, adjective

Other Words From

• hy·po·tha·lam·ic [hahy-poh-th, uh, -, lam, -ik, hip-oh-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypothalamus¹

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

Example Sentences

Thanks to the tweak, a specific group of neurons in the hypothalamus, a physiological control center deep in the brain, remained active as the animals got older.

From Science Magazine

The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls thirst.

From Science Daily

The study provides new insight into the importance of the hypothalamus of the brain and its role in common childhood obesity and the target gene may serve as a druggable target for future therapeutic interventions.

From Science Daily

This technical advance allowed them to identify previously unseen pathways connecting the brainstem, thalamus, hypothalamus, basal forebrain, and cerebral cortex.

From Science Daily

And does metformin treatment lead to long-term negative physiological changes in the offspring, especially in connection with the development of neuronal circuits in the hypothalamus, a critical region in the regulation of energy homeostasis?

From Science Daily