Functions of the Hypothalamus

The Specific functions of the regions in the Hypothalamus

The Hypothalamus is located under the thalamus (thus the name), and is probably one of the most important region in the brain that helps maintain homeostasis in the body. It can be divided into 3 different regions:

Lateral Hypothalamus --- the hunger centre, it has special receptors thought to detect when the body needs more food or fluids. Stimulation in this region and trigger eating and drinking response. Lab mice with lesion in this region will starve to death if not force fed, because they cannot sense hunger.

Ventromedial Hypothalamus --- the "satiety centre". It is the region that senses fullness and stops you from eating. Lab mice with lesion in this region will become very obese, because they don't know when to stop eating.

Anterior Hypothalamus --- the sex centre. When this region is stimulated in the lab animals they will have sex with just anything they encounter

Last but not least, the Hypothalamus can also be stimulated in a danger or stress situation and initiate a "fight-or-flight" response by releasing corticotropin releasing hormone (CRF) to the anterior pituitary gland, which will release Adrenalcorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to the adrenal medulla to release epinephrine and norepinephrine to further stimulate the sympathetic nervous system)

Mnemonics:

Function 4Fs

• Feed
• Fight
• Flight
• Fuck

Region specific functions:

• Destruction of the Lateral Hypothalamus (LH), one will Lack Hunger
• Destruction of the VentroMedial Hypothalamus (VMH), one will be Very Much Hungry
• Destruction of the Anterior Hypothalamus, one will be Asexual