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hypothalamus
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Labeled diagram of a mammalian pituitary gland showing key structures, including the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei, neurosecretory cells, blood vessels, and pathways for hormone release and blood flow. Diagram of a typical endocrine cell showing labeled internal structures, including the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, cytoplasm, and secretory granules, with arrows illustrating the pathway of hormone synthesis and exocytosis. Neurohormones are released from neurosecretory nerve cells. These nerve cells are considered true endocrine cells because they produce and secrete hormones that enter the circulation to reach their target cells.
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Diagram showing the female reproductive system with labeled ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina, alongside hormone pathways and the process from ovulation to fertilization and early embryo development. Major glands of the human endocrine system. The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland and influences food intake, weight regulation, fluid intake and balance, thirst, body heat, and the sleep cycle. Pituitary hormones stimulate growth, egg and sperm development, milk secretion, and release of hormones by other glands. The pineal gland may play a significant role in sexual maturation and the circadian rhythm. Thyroid hormones regulate the metabolic rate of tissues, stimulate the contraction of heart muscle, and are necessary for normal growth and brain development before birth and during infancy. Parathyroid hormone regulates calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels. The adrenal glands regulate salt and water retention, some reactions of the immune system, and blood pressure. The islets of Langerhans regulate blood sugar levels. The ovaries and testes produce hormones that regulate the reproductive system and that produce male and female secondary sex characteristics. The principal glands of the female and male human endocrine systems. Diagram of the human brain highlighting the pineal gland within the endocrine system, with labeled structures including the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, optic chiasm, pituitary gland, and third ventricle.
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hypothalamus: References & Edit History

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Modified link of Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - Physiology, Hypothalamus. Oct 17, 2026
Add new Web site: Verywell Health - What to Know About the Hypothalamus. Aug 13, 2026
Add new Web site: TeachMePhysiology - The Hypothalamus. Apr 09, 2026
Add new Web site: University of Guelph Open Books - Human Physiology - Hypothalamus and Pituitary. Dec 19, 2025
Add new Web site: CORE - The cerebellum, the hypothalamus and behavior (PDF). Nov 07, 2025
Add new Web site: PNAS - Macroscale intrinsic network architecture of the hypothalamus. May 30, 2025
Add new Web site: The Company of Biologists - Development - Development of the hypothalamus: conservation, modification and innovation. Apr 16, 2025
Add new Web site: CellPress - Current Biology - The hypothalamus. Aug 22, 2024
Add new Web site: Medscape - Hypothalamus Anatomy. Jun 28, 2024
Add new Web site: University of Washington Libraries - Comparative Endocrinology - Introduction to the Hypothalamus. Apr 10, 2024
Add new Web site: Medicine LibreTexts - Pituitary Gland and Hypothalamus. Jan 23, 2024
Add new Web site: The University of Texas Medical School at Houston - Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy - Hypothalamus: Structural Organization. Oct 31, 2023
Add new Web site: Openstax - Anatomy and Physiology 2e - The Pituitary Gland and Hypothalamus. Aug 21, 2023
Add new Web site: WebMD - What to know about the Hypothalamus. May 05, 2023
Add new Web site: Cleveland Clinic - Hypothalamus. Jan 20, 2023
Add new Web site: Medicine LibreTexts - Hypothalamus. Dec 10, 2022
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - Physiology, Hypothalamus. Sep 15, 2022
Add new Web site: Pacific Medical Training - PMT Scribe Academy - The Endocrine System. Nov 12, 2018
Add new Web site: Pacific Medical Training - PMT Scribe Academy - The Endocrine System. Nov 12, 2018
Add new Web site: Colorado State University - Hypertext for Biomedical Sciences - The Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland: Introduction and Index. May 24, 2018
Add new Web site: Healthline - Hypothalamus Overview. Apr 23, 2018
Display issue corrected. Mar 15, 2017
Added video. Mar 20, 2015
Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Hypothalamus Function. Mar 21, 2014
Added information on the infundibular stalk, neurosecretory cells, and structures adjacent to the median eminence of the hypothalamus. Dec 21, 2009
Added new Web site: National Library of Medicine - Hypothalamus. Mar 20, 2009
Added new Web site: Hypertexts For Biomedical Sciences - Hypothalamus. Mar 20, 2009
Article revised. May 19, 2005
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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