Medicine & USMLE

Ventromedial Nucleus

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Hypothalamic Nuclei
  1. Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
  2. Paraventricular and Supraoptic Nuclei
  3. Lateral Nucleus
  4. Ventromedial Nucleus
  5. Anterior Nucleus
  6. Posterior Nucleus
  7. Preoptic Nuclei

Ventromedial Nucleus

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Summary

The ventromedial nucleus is a hypothalamic nucleus that helps reduce hunger by inducing feelings of fullness or satiety. The hormone leptin stimulates this nucleus to induce fullness, while the hormone ghrelin inhibits it to cause hunger. 

Key Points

  • Ventromedial Nucleus (VMN)
    • Location
      • Hypothalamus
        • Contrast vs VPM of thalamus
    • Functions
      • Inhibits appetite (satiety)
        • Stimulated by leptin
        • Inhibited by ghrelin
    • Lesions
      • A lesion in the medial hypothalamus results in
        • Hyperphagia and weight gain