Hypothalamus- Structure, Functions, Hormones, and its …

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:

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

Also Refer:Endocrine glands and Hormones

The structure of hypothalamus is made up of three main regions:

Following are the hormones secreted by the anterior region of the hypothalamus:

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:

The anterior region of the hypothalamus is responsible for hormone secretion. The nuclei present in this region lead the process. The important hormones secreted by hypothalamus are:

The middle region of hypothalamusstimulates the release of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone. This hormone plays a major role in the growth and development of the body.

Let us know more about theOxytocin andADH hormone.

Oxytocin is a peptide hormone, released during childbirth and lactation. In females, it is mainly involved in stimulating the growth of prostaglandins, increasing the contractions of the muscles of the uterus, reduces the excess blood flow post-childbirth, promotes milk movement into the mammary glands. In males, oxytocin helps in the production of testosterone and aids in the movement of sperm. It also plays a role in social behaviour and various aspects around it.

Also Read: Lactation

Consumption of oxytocin can have adverse side-effects. Such as:

ADH, also known as arginine vasopressin, is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary gland. It is made up of special nerve cells found at the base of the hypothalamus. The hormone is transported to the pituitary gland via axons, where it is released into the bloodstream. It regulates and balances the amount of water in the blood.

Also read:Regulation of Kidney Function

The release of ADH into the bloodstream is regulated by a number of factors:

If the levels of ADH are higher, the water is retained by the kidney in the body. If excess ADH is released when not required, the blood gets diluted due to excess water retention. The salt concentration in the blood thus decreases. High levels of ADH may be caused due to the side-effects of drugs, lung diseases, etc. Increased ADH is associated with leukaemia, lymphoma, bladder cancer, brain cancer, etc.

If the levels of ADH are lower, a lot of water is excreted by the kidneys. This increases urine volume and lowers blood pressure. Low levels of ADH indicate primary polydipsia and damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.Diabetes insipidusis related to low levels of ADH.

Also read:Hormones in Animals

Every hormone should be secreted at accurate levels. Very high or very low secretions can lead to hypothalamic disorders. Hypothalamic disorders can be due to the following problems:

The symptoms that indicate a hypothalamic disorder include:

Overall, the hypothalamus is a small region present in the centre of the brain, which plays a major role in signalling the Pituitary Gland to release hormones to the rest of the endocrine system.

Also Read:Endocrine gland and its disorders

For more information on Hypothalamus and related articles, keep visiting BYJUS Biology

Hormones are the chemical substances produced by endocrine glands, which synchronize biological processes including the growth of an individual.

Oxytocin is a hormone secreted into the bloodstream by the posterior pituitary gland and produced in the hypothalamus.

Endocrine glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream. Hormones act as mediators, communicating messages across the body, controlling and coordinating the body activities. Different hormones affect the body differently, while some hormones are quickly generated to carry out a biological process at a faster pace, some other processes work over a period of time and hence require doses of these hormones at regular intervals.

In females, oxytocin is responsible for:

Serotonin is a chemical messenger that has a wide variety of functions in the human body. It is also called the happy hormone as it contributes to well being and happiness.

ADH refers to Anti-diuretic Hormone. It is also called arginine vasopressin. This hormone increases the amount of water absorbed in the blood by the kidneys and regulates and balances the amount of water in your blood. It is produced by the hypothalamus in the brain.

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