The reasoning: nodes in a homeostatic network
| Region | Key functions |
|---|---|
| Preoptic / anterior | thermoregulation (warm‑sensitive neurons), sleep (VLPO, MnPO), GnRH, osmosensing (OVLT, SFO — circumventricular organs) |
| SCN | master circadian clock |
| Supraoptic, paraventricular | AVP, oxytocin (magnocellular); CRH, TRH (parvocellular); autonomic premotor |
| Arcuate | POMC/CART, NPY/AgRP; GHRH, dopamine, kisspeptin |
| Ventromedial | glucose sensing, energy expenditure; classic "satiety" lesion → hyperphagic obesity |
| Dorsomedial | thermogenic and circadian output |
| Lateral (LHA) | orexin/hypocretin (arousal, reward), MCH (feeding, REM); lesion → aphagia |
| Posterior | sympathetic activation |
| Mammillary bodies | memory (Papez circuit) — Wernicke–Korsakoff |