Posterior Nucleus
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Hypothalamic Nuclei
- Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
- Paraventricular and Supraoptic Nuclei
- Lateral Nucleus
- Ventromedial Nucleus
- Anterior Nucleus
- Posterior Nucleus
- Preoptic Nuclei
Posterior Nucleus
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Summary
The posterior nucleus is a collection of neurons located in the posterior end of the hypothalamus. It helps to increase body temperatures by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in vasoconstriction of the extremities and shivering. Clinically, a lesion in the posterior nucleus can lead to an inability to maintain adequate body temperature, known as poikilothermia.
Key Points
- Posterior Nucleus
- Location
- Hypothalamus
- Functions
- Heat conservation (increases heat)
- via the sympathetic nervous system
- Via vasoconstriction and shivering
- Contrast vs. anterior nucleus (cooling function)
- via the sympathetic nervous system
- Heat conservation (increases heat)
- Lesions
- A lesion causes poikilothermia/hypothermia
- Poikilothermia is the inability to regulate core body temperature
- A lesion causes poikilothermia/hypothermia
- Location