define: hypothalamus
The hypothalamus (from Greek á½ÏÏ, under and Î¸Î¬Î»Î±Î¼Î¿Ï, thalamus) is a portion of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions. One of the most important functions of the hypothalamus is to link the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland (hypophysis).