Hypothalamus - Ninja Nerd

What part of the brain is the thalamus located in?

The diencephalon

What gland is located at the posterior part of the brain?

Pineal gland

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Regulates the autonomic nervous system and endocrine system

What are the four zones of the hypothalamus?

Pre-optic, supraoptic, tuberal, and mammillary zones

What is the role of the arcuate nucleus in hunger regulation?

Secretes alpha MSH/CART to stimulate the VMN for satiety and neuropeptide Y/AgRP to stimulate the LHN for hunger

What hormone does the supraoptic nucleus release in response to high blood osmolality?

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

What is the Papez circuit?

A neural circuit involved in memory that connects the hippocampus, mammillary bodies, and anterior thalamic nucleus

What is the function of the mammillary bodies?

Essential for memory consolidation, particularly episodic memory

What does the medial pre-optic nucleus secrete?

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotropin-inhibiting hormone (GnIH)

How does the hypothalamus respond to suckling?

Stimulates the paraventricular nucleus to secrete oxytocin

What is the function of the lateral hypothalamic nucleus (LHN)?

Acts as the hunger center by stimulating appetite

What is the role of leptin in hunger regulation?

Inhibits hunger signals when fat storage increases

What does ghrelin do in the body?

Stimulates the LHN and inhibits the VMN, promoting hunger

What is the hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract?

The connection between the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei to the posterior pituitary

What is the function of the anterior hypothalamic nucleus?

Involved in the parasympathetic nervous system and thermoregulation

What is the dorsal longitudinal fasciculus?

Connects the anterior hypothalamic nucleus with parts of the brainstem and sacral region

What does the posterior hypothalamic nucleus regulate?

Sympathetic nervous system functions and increases body temperature

What is the significance of the infundibulum?

Connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland

What is the connection between the amygdala and the hypothalamus called?

Stria terminalis

What does the arcuate nucleus secrete into the hypophyseal portal system?

Releasing and inhibiting factors for anterior pituitary hormone release

What happens when the suprachiasmatic nucleus detects low light?

It stimulates the secretion of melatonin, influencing the sleep-wake cycle

What is the function of the tuber cinereum?

Funnel-like structure connecting to the pituitary gland

What is Wernicke encephalopathy characterized by?

Confabulation, where lost memory is filled with fabricated details

How does the hypothalamus influence the endocrine system?

By secreting hormones that regulate the anterior pituitary's hormone release

What is the effect of ADH on the kidneys?

Increases water resorption, thus increasing blood pressure

What is the function of the mammillary nuclei?

Part of the limbic system involved in memory processing

What is the role of the cingulate gyrus in the Papez circuit?

Connects the hippocampus back to itself, completing the memory loop