Damage to the Hypothalamus Essay -- Neurology Brain Disorders Papers

The hypothalamus is a small area earnest the base of the brain just ventral to the thalamus (Kalat 90). It makes up about 1/300 total brain weight in humans, and it is about the coat of an almond (www.factmonster.com). Since the hypothalamus is attached to the pituitary gland, which is considered the keep in line gland, the hypothalamus is the structure which actually has master control over promoting or inhibiting hormone release, affecting many glands (Kalat 327). The of import function of the hypothalamus is to regulate homeostasis, but its wide range of control affects the times of behaviors involved in eating, drinking, temperature regulation, sexual behavior, copulation, maternal behavior, general arousal, activity level, the sleep- raise up cycle, and emotional regulation of rage, aggression, embarrassment, escape from danger in fight or flight responses, and pleasure (www.geocities.com). When the hypothalamus is damaged, specific behavior changes occur dependent o n the lesion location on the hypothalamus. The affects of such behavior changes can affect a persons life to such a degree that a social worker is needed for emotional, informational, familial, economic, and environmental support (www.iaswresearch.org).The hypothalamus controls the pituitary, which consists of two major(ip) glands anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary (which can be considered an perpetuation of the hypothalamus). The hypothalamus synthesizes the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which are transported to their terminals in the posterior pituitary, and then released in the prodigal (Kalat 327). Oxytocin controls uterine contractions, milk release, certain aspects of parental behavior, and... ...al Cancer impart Social works contribution to research on malignant neoplastic disease prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and surviviorship. Washington, D.C. www.iaswresearch.org.Kalat, J.W. (2004). Biological Psychology. CanadaWadsworth, Thomson Learning Inc.Taking Time Support For state With Cancer and the PeopleWho Care About Them (2001). U.S. Department of Health and compassionate Services. National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute.Taylor, S.E., Falke, R.L., Shoptaw, S.J., Steven, J., &Lichtman, R.R. (1986). Social support, support groups, and the malignant neoplastic disease patient. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54(5), 608-615.www.factmonster.com/ce6/sci/A0824782.htmlwww.geocities.com/hhugs2001/roleofhyp.htmwww.heumann.org/body.of.knowledge/k1/hypothalamus.htmlwww.naswdc.org/research/news/120903.aspwww.webmd.com