SUMMARY OF HYPOTHALAMIC FUNCTIONS
Table 1: General function of the hypothalamus
| S/N | Functions | Action/Center | Nuclei/Parts involved |
| 1 | Control of anterior pituitary | Releasing hormones Inhibiting hormones | Discrete areas |
| 2 | Secretion of posterior pituitary hormones | Oxytocin Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) | Paraventricular nucleus Supraoptic nucleus |
| 3 | Control of adrenal cortex | Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) | Paraventricular nucleus |
| 4 | Control of adrenal medulla | Catecholamines during emotion | Posterior and dorsomedial nuclei |
| 5 | Regulation of autonomic nervous system (ANS) | Sympathetic Parasympathetic | Posterior and lateral nuclei
Anterior nuclei |
| 6 | Regulation of heart rate | Acceleration
Inhibition |
Posterior and lateral nuclei
Preoptic and anterior nuclei |
| 7 | Regulation of blood pressure | Pressor effect
Depressor effect |
Posterior and lateral nuclei
Preoptic area |
| 8 | Regulation of body temperature | Heat gain center
Heat loss center |
Posterior hypothalamus Anterior hypothalamus |
| 9 | Regulation of hunger and food intake | Feeding center
Satiety center |
Lateral nucleus Ventromedial nucleus |
| 10 | Regulation of water intake | Thirst center Water retention by ADH | Lateral nucleus Supraoptic nucleus |
| 11 | Regulation of sleep and wakefulness | Sleep
Wakefulness |
Anterior hypothalamus Mamillary body |
| 12 | Regulation of behavior and emotion | Reward center
Punishment center |
Ventromedial nucleus Posterior and lateral nuclei |
| 13 | Regulation of sexual function | Sexual cycle | Arcuate and posterior nuclei |
| 14 | Regulation of response to smell | Autonomic responses | Posterior hypothalamus |
| 15 | Role in circadian rhythm | Rhythmic changes | Suprachiasmatic nucleus |