The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis is a neuroendocrine axis that controls the secretion of corticosteroid stress hormones. The HPA axis has three components: the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland
Schematic overview of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Stress activates the HPA-axis and thereby enhances the secretion of glucocorticoids from the adrenals.
Hypothalamus
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The hypothalamus is a small part of the vertebrate brain that contains a number of nuclei with a variety of functions. One of the most important functions is to link the nervous system to the endocrin
Cross-section of the monkey hypothalamus displays two of the major hypothalamic nuclei on either side of the fluid-filled third ventricle.
Hypothalamic nuclei on one side of the hypothalamus, shown in a 3-D computer reconstruction
Human brain left dissected midsagittal view
Illu diencephalon