Preoptic Nucleus
Area praeoptica is the Latin pronunciation for Preoptic Area. It is a region of the Hypothalamus. It is considered to be the part of the Anterior Hypothalamus. According to the Terminologia Anatomica (International Standard for Human Anatomy Terminology) Preoptic area has four Nuclei i.e.
- Medial Preoptic Nucleus
- Median Preoptic Nucleus
- Lateral Preoptic Nucleus
- Preoptic Periventricular Nucleus
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Preoptic Nucleus
FUNCTION OF PREOPTIC AREA
Preoptic area plays an important role in maintaining the temperature of body in certain boundaries, phenomenon known as thermoregulation. It also receives nervous stimulation from Thermo receptors (Sensory receptor for changes in temperature) present in skin and Hypothalamus itself. This area propagates the stimuli to heat losing or heat promoting centers of the Hypothalamus.
PREOPTIC NUCLEI
The four Preoptic Nuclei are as follows with their anatomical position and functions.
- Median Preoptic Nucleus: it is located in the midline, dorsal to other three preoptic nuclei. The function of this Preoptic nucleus is to regulate Thirst.
- Medial Preoptic Nucleus: it is surrounded laterally by Lateral Preoptic Nucleus and medially by Preoptic Periventricular Nucleus. It releases Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) that controls Copulation (Sexual Intercourse) in males.
- Lateral Preoptic Nucleus: it is situated lateral to Medial Preoptic Nucleus and it mediates Non REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep.
- Preoptic Periventricular Nucleus: It is located along side midline and is medial to Medial Preoptic Nucleus. Its function is uncertain. Some studies suggest that it might regulate luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) neurons.
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