Supraoptic nucleus
Supraoptic Nucleus[edit | edit source]
The supraoptic nucleus (SON) is a part of the hypothalamus in the brain. It is located above the optic chiasm and is primarily involved in the production of important hormones such as vasopressin and oxytocin. These hormones play crucial roles in the regulation of water balance and reproductive functions, respectively.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The supraoptic nucleus is a small, compact cluster of neurons situated in the anterior part of the hypothalamus. It is closely associated with the paraventricular nucleus, another hypothalamic nucleus involved in hormone production. The neurons in the SON are magnocellular, meaning they are large and capable of producing significant amounts of hormones.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of the supraoptic nucleus is the synthesis and release of vasopressin and oxytocin. These hormones are transported down the axons of the neurons to the posterior pituitary gland, where they are stored and released into the bloodstream.
Vasopressin[edit | edit source]
Vasopressin, also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH), is crucial for maintaining the body's water balance. It acts on the kidneys to promote water reabsorption, thereby reducing urine output and conserving water in the body. This hormone is particularly important in conditions of dehydration or low blood volume.
Oxytocin[edit | edit source]
Oxytocin is often referred to as the "love hormone" due to its role in social bonding, sexual reproduction, and during and after childbirth. It stimulates uterine contractions during labor and helps with milk ejection during breastfeeding.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Dysfunction of the supraoptic nucleus can lead to various disorders. For example, insufficient production of vasopressin can result in diabetes insipidus, a condition characterized by excessive thirst and excretion of large amounts of dilute urine. Conversely, excessive vasopressin can lead to the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), causing water retention and hyponatremia.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
