Hypothalamic nuclei
| Nucleus | Function |
|---|---|
| Ventromedial | Mediates satiety, destruction leads to hyperphagia |
| Lateral | Mediates hunger; destruction leads to anorexia |
| Anterior | Mediates heat dissipation; destruction leads to hyperthermia |
| Posterior | Mediates heat conservation; destruction leads to hypothermia |
| Arcuate | Secretion of dopamine (inhibits prolactin), GHRH |
| Medial preoptic | Secretion of GnRH, regulates sexual behavior |
| Paraventricular | Secretion of oxytocin, CRH, TRH & small amounts of ADH |
| Supraoptic | Secretion of ADH & small amounts of oxytocin |
| Suprachiasmatic | Circadian rhythm regulation & pineal gland function |
ADH - antidiuretic hormone;
CRH - corticotropin-releasing hormone;
GHRH - growth hormone-releasing hormone;
GnRH - gonadotropin-releasing hormone;
TRH - thyrotropin-releasing hormone.