Arcuate nucleus (hypothalamus)

This article is about the hypothalamic structure. For the structure in the medulla oblongata, see Arcuate nucleus (medulla).
Arcuate nucleus (hypothalamus)
Arcuate nucleus is 'AR', at bottom center, in green.
Details
Part ofHypothalamus
Identifiers
Latinnucleus arcuatus hypothalami
MeSHD001111
NeuroNames395
NeuroLex IDbirnlex_1638
TA98A14.1.08.923
TA25726
FMA62329
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH),[1] or ARC,[2] is also known as the infundibular nucleus to distinguish it from the arcuate nucleus of the medulla oblongata in the brainstem.[1] The arcuate nucleus is an aggregation of neurons in the mediobasal hypothalamus, adjacent to the third ventricle and the median eminence. The arcuate nucleus includes several important and diverse populations of neurons that help mediate different neuroendocrine and physiological functions, including neuroendocrine neurons, centrally projecting neurons, and astrocytes. The populations of neurons found in the arcuate nucleus are based on the hormones they secrete or interact with and are responsible for hypothalamic function, such as regulating hormones released from the pituitary gland or secreting their own hormones. Neurons in this region are also responsible for integrating information and providing inputs to other nuclei in the hypothalamus or inputs to areas outside this region of the brain. These neurons, generated from the ventral part of the periventricular epithelium during embryonic development, locate dorsally in the hypothalamus, becoming part of the ventromedial hypothalamic region.[3][2][4] The function of the arcuate nucleus relies on its diversity of neurons, but its central role is involved in homeostasis. The arcuate nucleus provides many physiological roles involved in feeding, metabolism, fertility, and cardiovascular regulation.[3][2][4][5]

  1. ^ a b Song J, Choi SY (December 2023). "Arcuate Nucleus of the Hypothalamus: Anatomy, Physiology, and Diseases". Exp Neurobiol. 32 (6): 371–386. doi:10.5607/en23040. PMC 10789173. PMID 38196133.
  2. ^ a b c Dudas B (2013). The Human Hypothalamus: Anatomy, Functions and Disorders. New York: Nova Science Publishers. ISBN 978-1-62081-806-0.
  3. ^ a b Bouret SG, Draper SJ, Simerly RB (March 2004). "Formation of projection pathways from the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus to hypothalamic regions implicated in the neural control of feeding behavior in mice". The Journal of Neuroscience. 24 (11): 2797–805. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5369-03.2004. PMC 6729527. PMID 15028773.
  4. ^ a b Sapru HN (April 2013). "Role of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus in cardiovascular regulation". Autonomic Neuroscience. 175 (1–2): 38–50. doi:10.1016/j.autneu.2012.10.016. PMC 3625681. PMID 23260431.
  5. ^ Coppari R, Ichinose M, Lee CE, Pullen AE, Kenny CD, McGovern RA, Tang V, Liu SM, Ludwig T, Chua SC, Lowell BB, Elmquist JK (January 2005). "The hypothalamic arcuate nucleus: a key site for mediating leptin's effects on glucose homeostasis and locomotor activity". Cell Metabolism. 1 (1): 63–72. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2004.12.004. PMID 16054045.