hypothalamus /hī′pōthal″əməs/ [Gk, hypo + thalamos, chamber] , a portion of the diencephalon of the brain, forming the floor and part of the lateral wall of the third ventricle. It activates, controls, and integrates the peripheral autonomic nervous system, endocrine processes, and many somatic functions, such as body temperature, sleep, and appetite. Compare epithalamus, metathalamus, subthalamus, thalamus. −hypothalamic, adj.
