[Hypothalamus: some diagnostic principles].

The hypothalamus is a small group of receptors for visceral control, receiving influences from other parts of the nervous system. In turn, some hypothalamic nuclei send efferent impulses to the neurohypophysis, back along limbic pathways to the cortex and down to the autonomic centers in the brain stem. Not all the experimental observations on lower vertebrates can be applied to hypothalamic nuclear areas and connections in man. Therefore, knowledge of such functions and clinical syndromes as those relating to regulation of cardiovascular system, temperature, feeding, drinking, electrolyte balance and the sleeping-waking cycle continues to be incomplete.