Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is located towards the lower part of the thalamus. One of the many jobs of the hypothalamus is to maintain and control homeostasis; homeostasis is when the body’s internal parts are essentially at harmony and working at a constant rate. The hypothalamus also always monitors the osmotic pressure; or the pressure needed to keep water out from certain bodies in the body, certain hormone concentrations, and the temperature of the blood. Certain functions carried out by the hypothalamus are, controlling the autonomic nervous system, controlling the pituitary gland, regulating emotional and behavioral patterns, regulating drinking and eating, controlling the body temperature, and regulating sleep and consciousness.