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hypothalamus
(hi″po-thal´ә-mәs)
a part of the diencephalon lying beneath the thalamus at the base of the cerebrum. Anatomically, it includes the optic chiasm, mamillary bodies, tuber cinereum, infundibulum, and pituitary gland, but for physiologic purposes, the pituitary gland is considered to be separate. The hypothalamus is the integrating center of the autonomic nervous system and contains many of the brain's nuclei and nerve centers, which activate, control, and integrate bodily activities and processes such as regulation of water balance, body temperature, sleep, thirst, and hunger, and the development of secondary sex characters. The hypothalamus also secretes a number of important releasing hormones that act on the adenohypophysis, as well as a few inhibiting hormones. adj., hypothalam´ic., adj.
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