ABSTRACT
The hypothalamus is situated in part of the forebrain known as the diencephalon, located between the cerebrum (telencephalon) and the midbrain (mesencephalon); it lies immediately beneath the thalamus, forming the floor and lower lateral walls of the third ventricle. Although it is a relatively small area of the brain, it performs many important functions e.g. controlling eating, drinking and sexual drives/behaviour, as well as essential autonomic nervous activities (regulation of blood pressure and heart rate). It is also involved in the maintenance of body temperature, controlling the sleep-wake cycle and for setting emotional states such as fear, pain, anger and pleasure.
