Question

What is Hypothalamus? Explain its major functions?

Answer 1

Hypothalamus is a minute region, almost the size of an almond, present at the centre of the human brain, near the pituitary gland.

It consists of three main regions:

• The anterior region.
• The middle region.
• The posterior region.

It plays a vital role in the production of hormones. Maintaining the hypothalamus health is very important. Its improper functioning causes several disorders.

The hypothalamus contains osmotic sensors that react to the concentration of sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide, and chloride. When the blood pressure is very low these osmotic sensors and baroreceptors intimate the kidneys to store or release water to maintain the concentration of these substances.

Following are the important functions of the hypothalamus:

• Its main function is maintaining the body’s internal balance- homeostasis.
• It also connects the endocrine and the nervous system.
• It triggers the pituitary gland to release a thyroid-stimulating hormone which plays a major role in the functioning of organs of the body such as heart, muscles, etc.
• Hypothalamus stimulates or inhibits many of the body’s activities in order to maintain homeostasis, such as regulating body temperature, appetite and body weight, heart rate and blood pressure, etc.