Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomy of the HypothalamusFunctionAssociated ConditionsTestsDiet and HypothalamusFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy of the Hypothalamus
Function
Associated Conditions
Tests
Diet and Hypothalamus
Frequently Asked Questions
Thehypothalamusis a small area located in your brain. It makes hormones that control a variety of body functions, such as your mood and hunger. The main purpose of the hypothalamus is to maintain the body at a constant or balanced level.
This article will explain more about the hypothalamus and common disorders associated with this portion of the brain.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
The hypothalamus is an important part of the brain because it regulates many functions. Understanding its anatomy can help you learn more about its purpose.
Structure
The hypothalamus is very small—about the size of an almond. It has the shape of a pine cone. Inside the hypothalamus, you will find different types of neurons (specialized brain cells) that can send messages to other cells.
The hypothalamus is divided into these three regions:
Location
Function of the Hypothalamus
The function of the hypothalamus is to help regulate your body’s processes and to release hormones. The hormones it makes travel to the anterior pituitary through the blood.
The hypothalamus can make the following hormones:
Some of the functions of the hypothalamus include regulating:
Associated Conditions That Impact the Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus regulates many body functions, so many types of disorders can occur if the hypothalamus dysfunctions, which some diseases can cause. Common problems that affect the hypothalamus include:
Appetite
When an injury or inflammation affects the hypothalamus, it may change your appetite. One type of disorder is called hypothalamic obesity, and it has the following symptoms:
Other disorders that affect the hypothalamus and your appetite include:
Adrenal
When the hypothalamus is not functioning properly because of a disorder, the adrenal system may also be affected, causing:
Hormonal
Since the hypothalamus helps regulate many hormones in the body, it can affect a variety of functions. For example, Kallmann syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the hypothalamus and leads to a delay or absence of puberty.
Sex
Tests for Hypothalamus Disorders
A doctor can order tests to measure hormone levels in your body and determine if you have a hypothalamus disorder.
Common tests include:
Your diet can affect the hypothalamus. For example, a diet high in saturated fats may cause inflammation in the hypothalamus and lead to obesity.
Consider eating a diet that is:
Summary
The hypothalamus is a small but important part of your brain. It is responsible for making hormones that affect many body functions. If the hypothalamus is injured, it can cause a number of problems in the body, including unexplained weight gain, fatigue, reduced sex drive, and neurological issues like brain fog and memory loss.
A Word From Verywell
Knowing how the hypothalamus works can help you understand more about your brain and body. It is important to find ways to maintain your brain health and prevent problems. You should protect your brain from injury whenever possible and provide it with proper nutrition.
You should seek medical help if you have persistent headaches and vision problems. They can be a symptom of a hypothalamus disorder or another serious condition that requires treatment. You do not want to ignore any neurological symptoms because the problem may get worse.
Frequently Asked QuestionsA healthy hypothalamus regulates your body processes and can release hormones that affect different functions.When the hypothalamus malfunctions, it can affect many functions in your body. Common symptoms of dysfunction are:Unusual weight loss or gainHeadachesVision lossFatigueWeaknessPoor or increased appetiteLow body temperatureSlow heart rateMood swingsThe hypothalamus makes a variety of hormones, including:DopamineSomatostatinOxytocinVasopressinGrowth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)The hypothalamus controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.
A healthy hypothalamus regulates your body processes and can release hormones that affect different functions.
When the hypothalamus malfunctions, it can affect many functions in your body. Common symptoms of dysfunction are:Unusual weight loss or gainHeadachesVision lossFatigueWeaknessPoor or increased appetiteLow body temperatureSlow heart rateMood swings
When the hypothalamus malfunctions, it can affect many functions in your body. Common symptoms of dysfunction are:
The hypothalamus makes a variety of hormones, including:DopamineSomatostatinOxytocinVasopressinGrowth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
The hypothalamus makes a variety of hormones, including:
The hypothalamus controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Hypothalamus.Shahid Z, Asuka E, Singh G.Physiology, hypothalamus. StatPearls.Sanchez Jimenez JG, De Jesus O.Hypothalamic dysfunction. StatPearls.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Hypothalamic dysfunction.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Hypothalamus.Shahid Z, Asuka E, Singh G.Physiology, hypothalamus. StatPearls.Sanchez Jimenez JG, De Jesus O.Hypothalamic dysfunction. StatPearls.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Hypothalamic dysfunction.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Hypothalamus.Shahid Z, Asuka E, Singh G.Physiology, hypothalamus. StatPearls.Sanchez Jimenez JG, De Jesus O.Hypothalamic dysfunction. StatPearls.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Hypothalamic dysfunction.
MedlinePlus.Hypothalamus.
Shahid Z, Asuka E, Singh G.Physiology, hypothalamus. StatPearls.
Sanchez Jimenez JG, De Jesus O.Hypothalamic dysfunction. StatPearls.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Hypothalamic dysfunction.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
