The hypothalamus helps regulate body temperature, hunger, thirst, and endocrine control.
This small region lies below the thalamus near the base of the brain and forms part of the diencephalon. It maintains homeostasis by integrating information about the internal and external environment and coordinating nervous, hormonal, and behavioral responses.
The hypothalamus controls the pituitary gland through releasing and inhibiting hormones, linking the nervous system with the endocrine system. It also contributes to circadian rhythms, reproductive functions, stress responses, and autonomic regulation. Specialized nuclei help perform different parts of this broad set of tasks.
The hypothalamus is not the same as the pituitary gland. The pituitary releases hormones into the bloodstream, while the hypothalamus directs and regulates much of that activity. Nor is it solely responsible for appetite or temperature; these behaviors depend on distributed circuits and signals from throughout the body.