Introduction
The hypothalamus is an important area of the brain which, as a superior control center, controls numerous vegetative bodily functions, such as food and fluid intake, circulation regulation, maintenance of body temperature and control of the salt and water balance. It also continues to determine emotional and sexual behavior. Compared to other areas of the brain, the hypothalamus is comparatively small.
It is a part of the diencephalon, located below the thalamus, weighs about 15 grams and is about the size of a 5 cent piece. The pituitary gland (hypophysis) is attached to it, to which it is connected via the pituitary stalk (infundibulum). The pituitary gland is an approximately hazelnut-sized endocrine gland, which lies in the middle fossa in a bony bulge at the level of the nasal root, anatomically known as the sella turcica.
It consists of two parts, the anterior pituitary gland and the posterior pituitary gland. Both parts are structurally different and differ in their function. However, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland together form an important functional unit and synthesize hormones with which they can control and influence the vegetative functions of the body.
Anatomy
The hypothalamus is limited upwards by the thalamus, foreheadwards by the optic chiasm (optic nerve crossing) and downwards by the midbrain (mesencephalon). The hypothalamus is connected to the pituitary gland (hypophysis) via the infundibulum. It consists of several core areas that have different functions. The posterior part of the hypothalamus contains the corpora mamillaria, core areas that belong to the limbic system and play an important role in memory processing. The anterior part of the hypothalamus contains numerous smaller core areas that mainly produce hormones and belong to the vegetative system.
Function
The hypothalamus is an important control center of our brain. As an exocrine gland, it produces and releases hormones that primarily influence and control vegetative processes. Via its core areas, which produce and release hormones, the hypothalamus thus controls, among other things, the individual day-night rhythm, food and fluid intake, regulates the cardiovascular system, participates in memory formation and ensures that body temperature is maintained.
But the hypothalamus also produces hormones such as oxytocin, which is mainly released during pregnancy and initiates contractions, but also conveys a feeling of closeness and trust between two people. Another hormone that is produced and secreted in the hypothalamus is the hormone prolactin, which leads to the growth of the mammary glands during pregnancy and to milk production in the mother after birth. All of these hormones are subject to controlled regulatory circuits which can reinforce each other but also inhibit each other. This will be discussed in more detail in the following.
