What is the FUNCTION of the HYPOTHALAMUS? Location, hormones and diseases

  • Jul 26, 2021
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What is the function of the hypothalamus: location, hormones and diseases

The hypothalamus is a small area of ​​the brain but it is very important and that its correct functioning is essential for our body and mind, so it is important to take care of it.

Therefore, next in Psychology-Online, we will see the different functions of this small area, what is the hypothalamic-pituitary axis as well as what is the thalamus and its functions. Finally, we will talk about different diseases that can occur due to the malfunction of these systems and the cause of them. Known what is the function of the hypothalamus, its location and hormones and diseases related.

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Index

  1. Where the hypothalamus is located
  2. Functions of the hypothalamus
  3. Hypothalamic-pituitary axis
  4. Some diseases caused by the malfunction of the hypothalamus

Where the hypothalamus is located.

The hypothalamus is located inside our brain, so so in the middle of the same, fair under the thalamus Y above the pituitary gland. It influences both the endocrine system and the

nervous system and in the connections between both systems, as well as in the autonomic system, which is why it is key in the main functions of the human body. Next we will look specifically at the tasks performed by the hypothalamus.

The thalamus is responsible for processing sensitive information - that is, information captured from through the sense organs-, memory processes, emotions and different functions motorcycles. In it, the information is integrated (except for the olfactory one) and distributed to the different relevant areas of the brain.

Functions of the hypothalamus.

As we have seen, the hypothalamus is located in a central place, ideal for being connected with other areas and performing all its functions. Among the most important functions of the hypothalamus, we find:

  1. Coordinates the autonomic nervous system. First, the hypothalamus is responsible for transmitting information and orders to the different organs. Therefore, it can regulate the movement of food within our body, the heart rate and the contraction of the diaphragm.
  2. Regulates satiety. That is, one of the functions of the hypothalamus is to tell us when we are full.
  3. Regulates the feeling of thirst to prevent us from becoming dehydrated.
  4. Regulates our temperature. If it is detected that the body is too hot, it activates processes (such as sweating) to lower the temperature, for example.
  5. Regulate the circadian rhythm It is another function of the hypothalamus, which is why it is essential for sleep-wakefulness.
  6. Regulates emotions: the hypothalamus participates in the emotions of anger, sadness, sexual satisfaction, infatuation ...
  7. Another function of the hypothalamus is hormone production as the oxytocin, essential for parental attitudes, for the facilitation of labor by distending the uterine cervix and for breastfeeding. Another of the hormones it produces is the antidiuretic hormone, responsible for the water balance in our body.

Hypothalamic-pituitary axis.

The pituitary and hypothalamus together control the function of several endocrine glandssuch as the thyroid, adrenal glands, and gonads. They also participate in various physiological activities. Many of the functions mentioned in the previous point would be controlled specifically in the part of the hypothalamus that is located on this axis. In this way, we will have:

  • Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis: here you would find the regulation of stress, digestion, the immune system, emotions, sexual behavior and energy metabolism.
  • Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis: It is responsible for the development of the male and female gonads and their functions, that is, the production of eggs in women and the production of sperm in men.
  • Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis: here the production of thyroid hormone, responsible for regulating the basal metabolism of our body, is regulated.

Some diseases caused by the malfunction of the hypothalamus.

The hypothalamus or the hypothalamic-pituitary axis can start to malfunction due to various causes. The most common is due to head trauma, but there are many others:

  • Eating disorders can impair the functioning of these areas.
  • Genetic causes that cause an excess of iron production.
  • Diets high in saturated fat.
  • Malnutrition
  • Inflammation.
  • Excessive bleeding

Some of the diseases that can develop as a result of this malfunction are:

Diabetes insipidus

Excessive water loss due to excessive water excretion. There are usually feelings of being thirsty and a constant urge to urinate. Dehydration can occur.

Syndrome of inappropriate ACH secretion

An excess of vasopressin is produced in the blood which can lead to excessive sodium excretion in the urine which can lead to headaches, apathy, nausea, vomiting, disturbances of consciousness and in the most severe cases apnea, coma or the death.

Hypopituitarism

Depending on which specific hormone is in short supply, short stature, infertility, intolerance to cold, fatigue and the inability to produce breast milk can occur.

Pituitary tumors

Depending on the specific area affected, various problems such as hyperthyroidism, cushing's syndrome (high levels of cortisol), gigantism, milk discharge or irregular menstrual periods in women or decreased sexual functioning in mens.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to What is the function of the hypothalamus: location, hormones and diseases, we recommend that you enter our category of Neuropsychology.

Bibliography

  • Dorsey JF, Salinas RD, Dang M, et al. Cancer of the central nervous system. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020: chap 63.
  • Melmed S, Kleinberg D. Pituitary masses and tumors. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016: chap 9.
  • Nieuwehuys, R., Voogd, J., & Van Huijzen, C. (2009). The human central nervous system. Pan American Medical.
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