Thalamus and Hypothalamus Functions viedo 10

Flashcards covering the key functions and concepts related to the thalamus and hypothalamus based on lecture notes.

Thalamus

A relay station in the brain that connects sensory input to the cortex and subcortical structures.

Relay

The process of passing information from one part of the brain to another.

Olfaction

The sense of smell, which bypasses the thalamus and connects directly to the limbic system.

Filtering

The process by which the thalamus helps focus on a subset of sensory inputs, suppressing unnecessary information.

Sympathetic Division

Part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the fight or flight response.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that regulates essential functions such as hunger, thirst, and the sleep-wake cycle.

HPA Axis

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a major system involved in the body's response to stress.

Circadian Rhythm

A 24-hour cycle that regulates various biological processes, including the sleep-wake cycle.

Ghrelin

A hormone that stimulates hunger, produced primarily in the stomach.

Leptin

A hormone that signals satiety, helping control energy balance.