hypothalamus

American  

[hahy-puh-thal-uh-muhs] / ˌhaɪ pəˈθæl ə məs /

noun

Anatomy.

• hypothalami
  plural

1. a region of the brain, between the thalamus and the midbrain, that functions as the main control center for the autonomic nervous system by regulating sleep cycles, body temperature, appetite, etc., and that acts as an endocrine gland by producing hormones, including the releasing factors that control the hormonal secretions of the pituitary gland.

---

hypothalamus British  

/ ˌhaɪpəˈθæləməs /

noun

1. a neural control centre at the base of the brain, concerned with hunger, thirst, satiety, and other autonomic functions

---

hypothalamus Scientific  

/ hī′pō-thăl′ə-məs /

1. The part of the brain in vertebrate animals that lies below the thalamus and cerebrum. The hypothalamus controls the autonomic nervous system and the secretion of hormones by the pituitary gland. Through these nerve and hormone channels, the hypothalamus regulates many vital biological processes, including body temperature, blood pressure, thirst, hunger, and the sleep-wake cycle.

---

hypothalamus Cultural  

1. The part of the brain that controls hunger, thirst, and body temperature and regulates various activities in the body connected with metabolism, including the maintaining of water balance. The hypothalamus also controls the action of the pituitary gland.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• hypothalamic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• hypothalami
  plural

Etymology

Origin of hypothalamus

From New Latin, dating back to 1895–1900; see origin at hypo-, thalamus

Compare meaning

How does hypothalamus compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hypothalamus vs. thalamus

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hypothalamus hypothalami

The researchers focused on the hypothalamus, a small brain region that helps coordinate metabolism and other essential functions.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026

That study mapped changes associated with aging rather than testing a treatment, but it highlighted the hypothalamus as an important area for further investigation.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026

Among its many jobs, the hypothalamus helps regulate hunger, hormones, reproduction and body temperature.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 13, 2026

Research has shown that these medications reduce hunger-driven eating by acting on networks in the hypothalamus and hindbrain.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 25, 2026

The nerve cells that coordinate growth hormone release are located deep within the hypothalamus, an ancient brain region found across mammals.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 5, 2026

Perhaps implantable electrodes in our hypothalami, or brain wave sniffing personal delivery drones that sense when, and for exactly what, we are hungry.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 28, 2022

The new study is the second to find some sort of difference between the hypothalami of gay and straight men.

From Time Magazine Archive