Hypothalamus: What Is It And What Are Its Functions?
The hypothalamus is a small endocrine organ found in the brain. Despite how little we know about it, it is a vitally important part that performs many functions.
This gland is capable of regulating most of the metabolic processes that occur in the human body, in addition to the cycles that determine our routine. Sleep, hunger, body temperature and even social relationships are conditioned by the hypothalamus.
What is and where is the hypothalamus?
The hypothalamus is an endocrine organ. The endocrine system is a set of organs and glands in the body that work through the secretion of substances called hormones .
The hypothalamus, despite being a very small organ, is in charge of controlling many of the other glands. That is to say, it fulfills a certain task of conducting the rest of the orchestra.
It is located in the center of the brain and, although it is almost the size of a pea, it contains an enormous number and variety of neurons.
The hypothalamus is divided into parts, which we call nuclei . Each of these nuclei is responsible for manufacturing certain types of hormones. Although all nuclei are equally important, some more relevant examples are the arcuate nucleus and the mammillary nucleus.
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