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Paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The paraventricular nucleus (PVN, PVA, or PVH) is a nucleus in the hypothalamus. Anatomically, it is adjacent to the third ventricle and many of its neurons project to the posterior pituitary. These projecting neurons secrete oxytocin and a smaller amount of vasopressin, otherwise the nucleus also secretes corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH).[1] CRH and TRH are secreted into the hypophyseal portal system and act on different targets neurons in the anterior pituitary. Dysfunctions of PVN can cause hypersomnia in mice[2], and dysfunction of the paraventricular nucleus can lead to drowsiness for up to 20 hours per day in humans[3]. PVN is thought to mediate many diverse functions through different hormones, including osmoregulation, appetite,wakefulness, and the response of the body to stress.[4][5]
Paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus | |
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![]() Human paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in this coronal section is indicated by the shaded area. Dots represent vasopressin (AVP) neurons (also seen in the supraoptic nucleus, SON). The medial surface is the 3rd ventricle (3V). | |
![]() The paraventricular hypothalamus of the mouse brain | |
Details | |
Identifiers | |
Latin | nucleus paraventricularis hypothalami |
MeSH | D010286 |
NeuroNames | 387 |
NeuroLex ID | birnlex_1407 |
TA98 | A14.1.08.909 |
TA2 | 5722 |
FMA | 62320 |
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy |