 The last stop on our journey is the hypothalamus! Fun fact: it got its name from the fact that it is located under the thalamus (hypo- is a prefix that means under or beneath). The hypothalamus's main function is homeostasis: keeping your body in prime conditions for function. You've probably heard that a healthy human's body temperature is supposed to be 98.6° degrees Fahrenheit. Your hypothalamus has to make sure that your body temperature is as close to that temperature as possible. This means that if you are hot, the hypothalamus will tell your sweat glands to activate so that the release of sweat will cool you down. If you are cold, the hypothalamus sends messages to your muscles to tell them to make you shiver in order to make you warmer. The hypothalamus is also important for hormone regulation. Ever notice how when you are physically active, your heart rate is faster than when you aren't and that after you stop being physically active, your heart rate slows down to its resting rate? This phenomenon is thanks to your hypothalamus! Check out this extremely interesting resource provided by PBS to get a better understanding of how maintaining homeostasis takes managing many different systems:
https://nj.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.reg.bodycontrol/body-control-center/
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