Exam 3: Hypothalamus and Autonomic system Flashcards
(112 cards)
hypothalamus
functions to regulate homeostasis ⇒ talks to cerebral cortex and limbic areas as reciprocal connections between these parts of the brain
- keeping us alive as well as continuation of life
things the hypothalamus influences (7)
- Maintaining appropriate body temperature
- Eating
- Drinking
- Blood circulation
- Breathing
- Excreting substances that we don’t want inside us
- Development and growth ⇒ reproduction (long term continuation of life)
what does the hypothalamus interface?
brain, endocrine system, and autonomic nervous system
medial hypothalamus (define + 4)
links with the endocrine system
- Blood volume
- Metabolic rate
- Lactation
- Stress response
hypothalamus interface between the autonomic nervous system and the limbic system
- heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, feeding, thermoregulation
- output to limbic system ⇒ altered motivation
how much does the pituitary weigh?
4 grams (located diencephalon)
which half of the pituitary gland is part of the hypothalamus?
Posterior is part of hypothalamus but anterior is not
Hypothalamic sulcus
divides the thalamus and hypothalamus
lamina terminalis
directly under the anterior commissure and prevents CSF from draining
anterior commissure
connects olfactory and the limbic system
endocrine organs
release chemicals (hormone) into the blood that act at other parts of the body
hypothalamus endocrine functions (2)
- Directly releases hormones into general circulation
- Release chemicals into the blood that act on the pituitary gland ⇒ acts on other endocrine organs
what hormones does the Hypothalamus directly release into general circulation?
from posterior pituitary
- Oxytocin
- Vasopressin
oxytocin
is made in neurons in supraoptic nerve and paraventricular nerve
- their axons directly project to posterior pituitary
- These end on blood vessels to release contents into the bloodstream
where is the paraventricular nerve?
next to 3rd ventricle
where is the supraoptic nerve?
right on top of the optic chiasm and optic tracts
effects of oxytocin?
acts as a tribal hormone
- Uterine contraction during birth
- Milk ejection reflex
- Increases trust, decreases fear, increases generosity
- Promotes monogamous behavior in males
- Also appear to promote racist, xenophobic behavior
Vasopressin
increase blood volume by decreasing excretion of water
- Decreases urine production by increasing reabsorption of water into bloodstream
- cells sense osmolarity (concentration of salt in blood)
- Increased salt ⇒ increased firing of paraventricular and supraoptic nerves
As sodium concentration goes up the secretion of antidiuretic
goes up ⇒ direct relationship
endocrine gland
organ that releases chemicals directly into the blood that have an effect on cells in other organs
- Sometimes directly control secretion of different hormones by other endocrine glands
where are hypothalamic hormones made?
in arcuate nerve (right under hypothalamus) and paraventricular nerve
- ventromedial hypothalamus
where do hypothalamic hormones get released?
into hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal blood vessels
what is the route of hormonal release from the hypothalamus?
hormones from arcuate and paraventricular nerves => hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal blood vessels => capillaries => anterior pituitary => general circulation
portal circulation
supplies two organs, and can carry a hormone from one organ to the other
- we don’t know how there is enough oxygen to survive the second capillary system with its corresponding organs