The Hypothalamus and Regulation of Bodily Functions

Flashcards about the hypothalamus and regulation of bodily functions.

What are the symptoms of the clinical case presented?

Sudden onset vertigo, left facial numbness, Hypoesthesia to pinprick in left face and right body, Ataxia in left limbs, Horner syndrome, left.

What are the three structures affected in the clinical case, leading to the mentioned symptoms?

Spinothalamic tract, Inferior cerebellar peduncle, Sympathetic pathway.

What are the three primary functions that the hypothalamus regulates?

Autonomic nervous system, Hormone regulation, and Circadian rhythm.

What structures bound the hypothalamus?

Third ventricle (medially), hypothalamic sulcus (superiorly), lamina terminalis (anteriorly), and mamillary body (caudally).

What are the zones of the hypothalamus?

Medial-lateral zones and anterior-posterior area.

What is the function of the Parvocellular neurosecretory system?

Regulates hormone release from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.

What hormones are produced by the Magnocellular neurosecretory system?

Vasopressin and Oxytocin, which are created from neurophysins.

From where do the preganglionic neurons originate in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?

Intermediate zone of the spinal cord (T1-L3; intermediolateral nucleus/cell column) and the Brainstem.

What are the three signs of Horner Syndrome?

Miosis, Ptosis, & Anhidrosis.

What is the neural pathway that provides feedback to the hypothalamus?

Solitary nucleus (viscerosensory from CN IX and X) -> hypothalamus, parabrachial nucleus (pons), forebrain, intermediolateral nucleus.

Which area within the hypothalamus controls the switch for sleep and wakefulness?

Medial preoptic area.

What is the role of the lateral hypothalamus in sleep regulation?

Secrete orexin, which regulates the REM center in the pontine tegmentum.

The inability to secrete which substance causes Narcolepsy?

Lateral hypothalamus inflammation leading to a lack of orexin secretion.

How do the sub regions of the Preoptic area act of the body?

Ventrolateral secretes GnRH, Medial nucleus displays sexual dimorphism and is involved in thermoregulation, and Preoptic nucleus inhibits wakefulness.

What is the role of the Posterior Hypothalamus?

Conserving body heat through vasoconstriction and shivering & Dopamine projection to the spinal cord.

Which brain area provides the pathway for urinary control?

Medial preoptic area -> Pontine micturition center.