Hypothalamus: definition, characteristics and functions

What is the hypothalamus, what is its relationship to the pituitary gland and what is their function in the brain?

The most characteristic part of the brain is its surface full of folds and crevices, but beneath this layer of cells are many other brain structures without which we could neither think nor adapt to the environment. Some of them, such as the cerebellum, are more or less well known because they ultimately stand out and are easy to see, but others are much more hidden, such as the hypothalamus.

Of course, the fact that the hypothalamus is small and rather more inconspicuous than other parts of the brain does not give us an idea about its importance. The role that the hypothalamus plays in our survival is of paramount importance.The hypothalamus, because, among other things, it is responsible for coordinating and communicating two apparently independent worlds: that of the neurons and that of the hormones that navigate through our blood.

What is the hypothalamus?

The hypothalamus is, together with the thalamus, one of the parts of a brain structure called the diencephalonIt is located in the center of the human brain, below the cerebral cortex and above the brainstem.

Its name is a direct reference to the place it occupies: "hypothalamus" literally means "below the thalamus". Indeed, if we look at a drawing of a sagittal slice of the human brain we see that the hypothalamus appears to be the mount of the thalamus, which is much more voluminous than the thalamus..

Functions of this part of the brain

The hypothalamus is one of the brain structures with the most important role in the regulation of moods.The hypothalamus is involved in the regulation of body temperature, sleep, sexual impulses, hunger and thirst.

Because of its relationship with the regulation of emotions and physiological states, the hypothalamus is considered part of the limbic system, the set of parts of the brain directly related to the generation of emotions. It can be said that the hypothalamus is responsible for initiating and coordinating many of the processes that allow us to survive and adapt to changing situations.

In addition, the hypothalamus is located close to the brainstem because it is involved in the basic functions that ensure our survival and are therefore carried out involuntarily, without us realizing it. In addition to acting as a bridge between the brain and the endocrine system, coordinates everything that is carried out through the autonomic nervous system.The hypothalamus, that is to say, the one that sends orders to parts of the body so that these adapt to each situation.

Among the processes that the hypothalamus is in charge of regulating are:

• Sleep levels and the circadian cycle.
• Sexual arousal and associated behavior.
• Level of hunger.
• Blood pressure.
• Muscle tension.
• body temperature
• Available energy levels.

A vital process: homeostasis

The hypothalamus is constantly receiving information from all parts of the body and sending orders accordingly, because its task is to make sure that nothing inside the body breaks the balance of how it should function. its task is to ensure that nothing that happens inside the organism disrupts the balance of how the body as a whole should function.. That is why it functions as a mediator of different parts of the body, whether or not they are in contact with the brain; to influence the more distant parts, it allows hormones to be released into the Blood that in a matter of minutes reach their destination to trigger the necessary process.

For example, if we see something that could be potentially dangerous, the hypothalamus will see to it that everything that happens in the organism works coherently with the readiness to react quickly. It will not let the heart start beating rapidly without many other organs acting accordingly: muscles will tense up, the amount of energy available in blood will increase, etc.

In the same way, if we have not eaten for a long time, the hypothalamus will make the neurons of the limbic system generate dynamics that make the sensation of hunger appear, at the same time that it will intervene in the way in which fats and sugars available in the body are burned. All this at the same time, so that there is always a balance and the property of homeostasis is maintained, i.e., the ability to keep the body in balance.that is, the ability to maintain stability in the functioning of things.

The hypothalamus and its connection with the pituitary gland

The fact that the hypothalamus is involved in the regulation of many vital functions means that it must be able to send commands to very different parts of the body. Moreover, some of the effects it has to produce must be more or less instantaneous, while others appear with a delay and remain active for a longer time.

How does the hypothalamus cope with this range of responsibilities? Well, acting as a hinge between the nervous system and the endocrine system. As the hypothalamus is inserted in a very well communicated place in the brain (it is very close to its center), its connection with the rest of the nervous system is very easy, but in addition it connects with the endocrine system through a small structure called the hypophysisor pituitary gland.

The pituitary gland is located just below the hypothalamus, and it is very well connected to the hypothalamus. It's very well connected to the hypothalamus, so it executes the commands that the hypothalamus gives it: basically, it causes hormones to be released. The hypothalamus cross-checks data from the nervous system with data from the nervous system about the amount and type of hormones circulating in the blood.

When it detects an imbalance, it causes the pituitary gland to secrete certain hormones that will be introduced into the bloodstream and either alter the functioning of certain organs or cause other parts of the body to secrete other hormones. In this way, the necessary biological processes will be adjusted to improve the chances of survival.

As the hypothalamus has effects on both the brain and many other parts of the body that react to the presence of the hormones. react to the presence of hormones in the blood, its effects are felt both in the brain and in many other parts of the body that react to the presence of hormones in the blood.Its effects are felt in a matter of milliseconds as well as in a matter of minutes.