Hypothalamus

Also known as:  Neuroendocrinal Transducer

The Hypothalamus is a component of the Diencephalon of the Brain.  It weighs approximately 4 grams and comprises 1% of the Brain's total volume.  The Hypothalamus is located near the junction of the Midbrain and the Thalamus, near the base of the skull and just above the Pituitary Gland.  The Hypothalamus has physical connections to the Hippocampus, Cerebral Cortex, Limbic System and the Pituitary Gland.

The Hypothalamus is sometimes described as the body's "master gland".

 The Hypothalamus is the primary regulating organ for the process of via the process known as Negative Feedback Mechanism.

Digestive System

        The Hypothalamus regulates the body's production of Saliva.

Hormones

 The Hypothalamus produces Releasing Factors that travel to and influence the nearby Pituitary Gland:

 Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH) is produced and released from the Hypothalamus.

 The Hypothalamus regulates the production of the endogenous aphrodisiac - Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) - after its production in the Hypothalamus it is sent via Blood Circulation to the Pituitary gland.  ^[1]

 Thyrotrophin-Releasing Hormone (TRH) is manufactured by the Hypothalamus and released to the Pituitary Gland where it stimulates the release of Thyrotrophin.

 Oxytocin is synthesized in the Hypothalamus (but is stored and released by the posterior lobe of the Pituitary Gland).

 The Hypothalamus is responsible (together with the Delta Cells of the Islets of Langerhans) for the release of Somatostatin (a hormone that inhibits the release of Human Growth Hormone from the Pituitary Gland).