How Do You Spell HYPOTHALAMUS?

Pronunciation: [hˌa͡ɪpə͡ʊθˈalaməs] (IPA)

The hypothalamus is a small but vital part of the human brain. It regulates basic bodily functions such as hunger, thirst, and temperature. The correct spelling of the word is /ˌhaɪ.pəˈθæ.lə.məs/, with stress on the "pə" syllable. The "hypo-" prefix means "under", while the "-thalamus" suffix refers to a room or chamber. The word's spelling can be tricky due to the unusual combination of consonants and vowels, but it is important to get it right when discussing brain function and anatomy.

HYPOTHALAMUS Meaning and Definition

  1. The hypothalamus is a small, almond-shaped structure located at the base of the brain, just above the pituitary gland, and acts as a key regulatory hub within the central nervous system. It serves as a major control center, coordinating various physiological functions and maintaining homeostasis in the body.

    Functionally, the hypothalamus plays a crucial role in regulating basic survival behaviors, including thirst, hunger, body temperature, and sleep. It acts as a bridge between the body and the brain, integrating sensory information and generating appropriate responses. Additionally, it regulates the endocrine system by producing and releasing a variety of hormones that control the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.

    Furthermore, the hypothalamus is involved in the regulation of emotions and behaviors, influencing mood, aggression, sexual behavior, and other related processes. It also controls the autonomic nervous system, regulating activities such as heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.

    Dysfunction or damage to the hypothalamus can lead to a wide range of conditions and disorders, including altered appetite, sleep disturbances, imbalances in body temperature, and hormonal abnormalities. Studying the hypothalamus is essential for understanding the complex interactions between the brain and the body, as well as for investigating and treating disorders related to its function.

  2. Subthalamic region, divided into the pars mamillaris, comprising the corpue mamillare, and the pars optica, comprising the tuber cinereum, infundibulum, hypophysis (pituitary body), and the lamina cinerea.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Top Common Misspellings for HYPOTHALAMUS *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for HYPOTHALAMUS

Etymology of HYPOTHALAMUS

The word "hypothalamus" comes from the Greek roots "hypo", meaning "under", and "thalamus", meaning "inner chamber". "Hypo" refers to its location below (under) the thalamus in the brain. The term was first used in the late 19th century to describe this specific region of the brain that controls various bodily functions and hormone production.

Similar spelling word for HYPOTHALAMUS

Plural form of HYPOTHALAMUS is HYPOTHALAMI

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: