hypothalamus

[hahy-puh-thal-uh-muh s] /ˌhaɪ pəˈθæl ə məs/
noun, plural hypothalami
[hahy-puh-thal-uh-mahy] /ˌhaɪ pəˈθæl əˌmaɪ/ (Show IPA). Anatomy
1.
a region of the brain, between the thalamus and the midbrain, that functions as the main control center for the autonomic nervous system by regulating sleep cycles, body temperature, appetite, etc., and that acts as an endocrine gland by producing hormones, including the releasing factors that control the hormonal secretions of the pituitary gland.
Origin
1895-1900; < Neo-Latin; see hypo-, thalamus
Related forms
hypothalamic
[hahy-poh-thuh-lam-ik, hip-oh-] /ˌhaɪ poʊ θəˈlæm ɪk, ˌhɪp oʊ-/ (Show IPA), adjective
Examples from the web for hypothalamus
  • It bulges out from the hypothalamus and fills much of the neighboring cavity.
  • Some of the main parts are the hippocampus, the amygdala, the thalamus and the hypothalamus.
  • The hypothalamus controls hormone secretions from the nearby pituitary gland.
  • The signals are received in a structure at the base of the brain called the hypothalamus.
  • One of the jobs of the hypothalamus is to keep you as close to your set-point weight as possible.
  • Chemotherapy may be especially useful when the tumor extends into the hypothalamus.
  • Abnormalities or injury to the hypothalamus gland can cause obesity.
  • Body temperature is regulated there, in a region called the hypothalamus.
  • The hypothalamus, which sits at the base of the brain, acts as the body's thermostat.
  • The scientists then traced the leptin decline to a pathway that originates in the brain's hypothalamus.
British Dictionary definitions for hypothalamus

hypothalamus

/ˌhaɪpəˈθæləməs/
noun (pl) -mi (-ˌmaɪ)
1.
a neural control centre at the base of the brain, concerned with hunger, thirst, satiety, and other autonomic functions
Derived Forms
hypothalamic (ˌhaɪpəθəˈlæmɪk) adjective
Word Origin and History for hypothalamus
n.

1896, coined 1893 in German from Greek hypo- "under" (see sub-) + thalamus "part of the brain where a nerve emerges."

hypothalamus in Medicine

hypothalamus hy·po·thal·a·mus (hī'pō-thāl'ə-məs)
n.
The part of the brain that lies below the thalamus, forming the major portion of the ventral region of the diencephalon, and that regulates bodily temperature, certain metabolic processes, and other autonomic activities.

hy'po·tha·lam'ic (-thə-lām'ĭk) adj.
hypothalamus in Science
hypothalamus
  (hī'pō-thāl'ə-məs)   
The part of the brain in vertebrate animals that lies below the thalamus and cerebrum. The hypothalamus controls the autonomic nervous system and the secretion of hormones by the pituitary gland. Through these nerve and hormone channels, the hypothalamus regulates many vital biological processes, including body temperature, blood pressure, thirst, hunger, and the sleep-wake cycle.
hypothalamus in Culture
hypothalamus [(heye-puh-thal-uh-muhs)]

The part of the brain that controls hunger, thirst, and body temperature and regulates various activities in the body connected with metabolism, including the maintaining of water balance. The hypothalamus also controls the action of the pituitary gland.