Hypothalamus
Definition
The hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces hormones that control:
- Body temperature
- Hunger
- Moods
- Release of hormones from many glands, especially the pituitary gland
- Sex drive
- Sleep
- Thirst
References
Hadley ME, Levine JE. Endocrinology. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall; 2007:111-133.
Coll AP, Farooqi IS, O’Rahilly S. The hormonal control of food intake. Cell. 2007;129(2):251-262.
Review Date:
12/11/2011
Reviewed By:
Nancy J. Rennert, MD, Chief of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Norwalk Hospital, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed byDavid Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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