Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is a brain part at the base of the brain. It connects the endocrine system to the nervous system. The word hypothalamus is a Greek word which means "under the thalamus"; it is used because hypothalamus is below the thalamus, and above the brain stem.

The hypothalamus contains many different nuclei which separately control body temperature, hunger, thirst and circadian cycles.
It is the control system which regulates the pituitary gland, the 'master gland' of the body. It is also involved in regulating sex drive.

The thalamus sits above the hypothalamus, and the hypothalamus sits above the pituitary gland. That area at the base of the brain down to the pituitary is the centre of neurosecretion. Some neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamus produce hormones such as oxytocin and vasopressin. These hormones are released into the blood in the posterior pituitary.Melmed S. et al 2011. Williams textbook of endocrinology. 12th ed, Saunders. pp. 107.  It is the main way the nervous system controls the hormones in our bodies. The hypothalamus sends signals to the endocrine system to control other systems in the body.

 References 

Category:Glands
Category:Endocrine system