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