Introduction: The Functions of hypothalamus MCQs With Answer resource is designed for B. Pharm students to strengthen core concepts in hypothalamic physiology, neuroendocrine control, and clinical correlations. This concise, keyword-rich introduction covers hypothalamus functions such as thermoregulation, appetite and thirst regulation, circadian rhythm (SCN), autonomic integration, and control of pituitary hormones (TRH, CRH, GnRH, GHRH, somatostatin, dopamine). Ideal for exam preparation and pharmacology relevance, these MCQs link physiological mechanisms to drug targets and endocrine disorders. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which hypothalamic nucleus is the primary center for thirst regulation?
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus
- Paraventricular nucleus
- Organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT)
- Lateral hypothalamic area
Correct Answer: Organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT)
Q2. Which hypothalamic nucleus produces vasopressin (ADH)?
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus
- Supraoptic nucleus
- Ventromedial nucleus
- Mammillary bodies
Correct Answer: Supraoptic nucleus
Q3. The suprachiasmatic nucleus primarily regulates which function?
- Thermoregulation
- Feeding behavior
- Circadian rhythm
- Memory consolidation
Correct Answer: Circadian rhythm
Q4. Which hypothalamic nucleus is most associated with satiety and lesion leads to hyperphagia and obesity?
- Lateral hypothalamic area
- Ventromedial nucleus
- Paraventricular nucleus
- Arcuate nucleus
Correct Answer: Ventromedial nucleus
Q5. Which releasing hormone from the hypothalamus stimulates ACTH release from anterior pituitary?
- Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
- Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
- Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Correct Answer: Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
Q6. Which hypothalamic structure secretes oxytocin into the posterior pituitary?
- Paraventricular nucleus
- Ventromedial nucleus
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus
- Lateral hypothalamus
Correct Answer: Paraventricular nucleus
Q7. Which pathway carries hypothalamic releasing hormones to the anterior pituitary?
- Tuberohypophyseal tract
- Tuberoinfundibular portal system
- Tectospinal tract
- Spinothalamic tract
Correct Answer: Tuberoinfundibular portal system
Q8. Lesion of the lateral hypothalamus typically produces which effect?
- Excessive eating (hyperphagia)
- Loss of appetite (aphagia) and weight loss
- Hyperthermia
- Excessive thirst
Correct Answer: Loss of appetite (aphagia) and weight loss
Q9. Which hypothalamic nucleus contains neurons that synthesize both oxytocin and vasopressin?
- Arcuate nucleus
- Supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei
- Ventromedial nucleus only
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus only
Correct Answer: Supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei
Q10. Which hypothalamic peptide increases feeding behavior and antagonizes melanocortin signaling?
- Neuropeptide Y (NPY)
- CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript)
- POMC-derived α-MSH
- Somatostatin
Correct Answer: Neuropeptide Y (NPY)
Q11. Which nucleus is essential for thermoregulation and heat dissipation?
- Lateral hypothalamus
- Posterior hypothalamus
- Anterior hypothalamus/preoptic area
- Dorsomedial hypothalamus
Correct Answer: Anterior hypothalamus/preoptic area
Q12. Hypothalamic control of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems occurs mainly via which region?
- Mammillary bodies
- Preoptic and paraventricular areas
- Arcuate nucleus only
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus only
Correct Answer: Preoptic and paraventricular areas
Q13. Which hypothalamic hormone inhibits prolactin secretion from anterior pituitary?
- Dopamine (prolactin-inhibiting factor)
- Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
- Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Correct Answer: Dopamine (prolactin-inhibiting factor)
Q14. The arcuate nucleus contributes to regulation of which anterior pituitary hormone via GHRH and somatostatin control?
- Prolactin
- Growth hormone (GH)
- TSH
- ACTH
Correct Answer: Growth hormone (GH)
Q15. Which hypothalamic nucleus is most directly involved in circadian signals to the pineal gland via sympathetic pathways?
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus
- Arcuate nucleus
- Posterior hypothalamus
- Mammillary bodies
Correct Answer: Suprachiasmatic nucleus
Q16. Which hypothalamic lesion can result in diabetes insipidus due to decreased ADH secretion?
- Lesion of supraoptic-hypophyseal tract
- Lesion of ventromedial nucleus
- Lesion of suprachiasmatic nucleus
- Lesion of lateral hypothalamus
Correct Answer: Lesion of supraoptic-hypophyseal tract
Q17. Which hypothalamic nucleus is implicated in aggressive behavior and stress responses?
- Dorsomedial nucleus
- Ventromedial nucleus
- Supraoptic nucleus
- Arcuate nucleus
Correct Answer: Dorsomedial nucleus
Q18. Which hypothalamic function is most relevant to pharmacologic control of obesity via leptin signaling?
- Thermoregulation in anterior hypothalamus
- Feeding regulation in arcuate and ventromedial nuclei
- Circadian rhythm in SCN
- Memory via mammillary bodies
Correct Answer: Feeding regulation in arcuate and ventromedial nuclei
Q19. Which hypothalamic hormone stimulates thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion?
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
- Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
- Somatostatin
- Dopamine
Correct Answer: Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
Q20. The median eminence is important because it:
- Stores ADH and oxytocin
- Is site of cerebrospinal fluid production
- Is where hypothalamic releasing hormones enter the portal circulation to reach anterior pituitary
- Contains the suprachiasmatic nucleus
Correct Answer: Is where hypothalamic releasing hormones enter the portal circulation to reach anterior pituitary
Q21. Which hypothalamic nucleus is essential for memory consolidation and is affected in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?
- Mammillary bodies
- Ventromedial nucleus
- Supraoptic nucleus
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus
Correct Answer: Mammillary bodies
Q22. Which peptide from the hypothalamus inhibits growth hormone release?
- GHRH
- Somatostatin
- TRH
- GnRH
Correct Answer: Somatostatin
Q23. Activation of the posterior hypothalamus typically causes which autonomic response?
- Vasodilation and sweating
- Shivering and vasoconstriction (heat conservation)
- Increased salivation
- Decreased heart rate only
Correct Answer: Shivering and vasoconstriction (heat conservation)
Q24. Leptin acts primarily on which hypothalamic neurons to reduce food intake?
- NPY/AgRP neurons in the arcuate nucleus
- POMC/CART neurons in the arcuate nucleus
- Lateral hypothalamic orexin neurons
- Paraventricular oxytocin neurons
Correct Answer: POMC/CART neurons in the arcuate nucleus
Q25. Which hypothalamic nucleus secretes dopamine that inhibits prolactin release from anterior pituitary?
- Arcuate nucleus (tuberoinfundibular neurons)
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus
- Mammillary bodies
- Ventromedial nucleus
Correct Answer: Arcuate nucleus (tuberoinfundibular neurons)
Q26. Which of the following is a direct effect of hypothalamic CRH secretion?
- Increased ACTH release from anterior pituitary
- Increased prolactin inhibition
- Decreased ADH secretion
- Increased insulin secretion from pancreas
Correct Answer: Increased ACTH release from anterior pituitary
Q27. Which hypothalamic area contains orexin/hypocretin neurons that regulate wakefulness and appetite?
- Lateral hypothalamic area
- Preoptic area
- Ventromedial nucleus
- Mammillary bodies
Correct Answer: Lateral hypothalamic area
Q28. Which hypothalamic nucleus integrates visceral sensory information from the nucleus of the solitary tract?
- Paraventricular nucleus
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus
- Arcuate nucleus
- Mammillary bodies
Correct Answer: Paraventricular nucleus
Q29. Which hypothalamic dysfunction is most likely to produce amenorrhea and infertility via altered GnRH release?
- Lesion of suprachiasmatic nucleus
- Arcuate nucleus or preoptic GnRH neuron dysfunction
- Lesion of posterior hypothalamus
- Mammillary body damage
Correct Answer: Arcuate nucleus or preoptic GnRH neuron dysfunction
Q30. Fever involves which hypothalamic mechanism?
- Lowering the thermoregulatory set point via anterior hypothalamus
- Raising the thermoregulatory set point via prostaglandin E2 action in the preoptic area
- Complete shutdown of posterior hypothalamus
- Activation of mammillary bodies
Correct Answer: Raising the thermoregulatory set point via prostaglandin E2 action in the preoptic area
Q31. Which hypothalamic nucleus senses plasma osmolality and initiates ADH release?
- Ventromedial nucleus
- Organum vasculosum of lamina terminalis (OVLT) and supraoptic nucleus
- Mammillary bodies
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus
Correct Answer: Organum vasculosum of lamina terminalis (OVLT) and supraoptic nucleus
Q32. Which hypothalamic peptide promotes feeding and is co-expressed with AgRP?
- Neuropeptide Y (NPY)
- POMC-derived peptides
- CART
- Oxytocin
Correct Answer: Neuropeptide Y (NPY)
Q33. Which of the following best describes the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis sequence?
- Aldosterone → CRH → ACTH
- CRH → ACTH → Cortisol
- ACTH → CRH → Cortisol
- Cortisol → ACTH → CRH
Correct Answer: CRH → ACTH → Cortisol
Q34. Which hypothalamic area mediates sexual behavior and reproductive hormone release?
- Preoptic area and arcuate nucleus
- Posterior hypothalamus only
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus only
- Mammillary bodies
Correct Answer: Preoptic area and arcuate nucleus
Q35. Which hypothalamic-derived molecule stimulates lactation by increasing milk ejection?
- Vasopressin
- Oxytocin
- Prolactin-inhibiting factor
- Somatostatin
Correct Answer: Oxytocin
Q36. Damage to the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus would most likely cause:
- Persistent hyperthermia only
- Disruption of sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms
- Loss of ADH secretion exclusively
- Impaired memory consolidation
Correct Answer: Disruption of sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms
Q37. Which hypothalamic nucleus is a key regulator of energy expenditure via sympathetic activation?
- Ventromedial nucleus
- Dorsomedial nucleus and paraventricular nucleus
- Mammillary bodies
- Supraoptic nucleus
Correct Answer: Dorsomedial nucleus and paraventricular nucleus
Q38. Which pharmacologic target would most directly reduce hypothalamic GHRH action?
- Somatostatin analogs
- Leptin receptor agonists
- Dopamine receptor antagonists
- β-adrenergic blockers
Correct Answer: Somatostatin analogs
Q39. Which hypothalamic function is directly involved in fluid volume regulation via baroreceptor input?
- Control of circadian rhythm
- ADH release modulation in supraoptic-paraventricular system
- Thermoregulation in posterior hypothalamus
- Memory storage in mammillary bodies
Correct Answer: ADH release modulation in supraoptic-paraventricular system
Q40. Tumor in the pituitary stalk affecting the median eminence would most likely disrupt which process?
- Posterior pituitary storage of ADH only
- Hypothalamic releasing hormone delivery to anterior pituitary
- Suprachiasmatic light input
- Mammillary body memory function
Correct Answer: Hypothalamic releasing hormone delivery to anterior pituitary
Q41. Which hypothalamic neuropeptide promotes wakefulness and its deficiency is linked to narcolepsy?
- Melatonin
- Orexin (hypocretin)
- Ghrelin
- Prolactin
Correct Answer: Orexin (hypocretin)
Q42. A lesion in the ventromedial hypothalamus would most likely lead to:
- Anorexia and weight loss
- Hyperphagia and obesity
- Insomnia due to orexin loss
- Impaired ADH secretion
Correct Answer: Hyperphagia and obesity
Q43. Which hypothalamic hormone stimulates milk production (galactopoiesis) by acting on the anterior pituitary?
- Prolactin-releasing hormone (not well defined); prolactin secretion is mainly inhibited by dopamine
- Oxytocin from posterior pituitary
- Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
- GHRH
Correct Answer: Prolactin-releasing hormone (not well defined); prolactin secretion is mainly inhibited by dopamine
Q44. Which nucleus is critically involved in integrating reproductive hormone feedback and pulsatile GnRH release?
- Supraoptic nucleus
- Arcuate nucleus (Kisspeptin neurons)
- Mammillary bodies
- Posterior hypothalamus
Correct Answer: Arcuate nucleus (Kisspeptin neurons)
Q45. Which of these hypothalamic areas is most closely linked to autonomic outputs that control heart rate and blood pressure?
- Paraventricular nucleus
- Mammillary bodies
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus
- Arcuate nucleus only
Correct Answer: Paraventricular nucleus
Q46. Which hypothalamic structure is a circumventricular organ that senses circulating hormones due to a leaky blood-brain barrier?
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus
- Organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT)
- Mammillary body
- Lateral hypothalamus
Correct Answer: Organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT)
Q47. Pharmacologic agonists of which hypothalamic pathway would most likely increase appetite?
- POMC-MC4R pathway activation
- α-MSH analogs
- NPY/AgRP pathway activation
- Melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) agonists
Correct Answer: NPY/AgRP pathway activation
Q48. Which hypothalamic nucleus contributes to parental and maternal behaviors and responds to oxytocin?
- Ventromedial nucleus and medial preoptic area
- Suprachiasmatic nucleus only
- Arcuate nucleus only
- Mammillary bodies only
Correct Answer: Ventromedial nucleus and medial preoptic area
Q49. Which effect results from hypothalamic stimulation of the HPA axis during stress?
- Decreased cortisol and increased insulin sensitivity
- Increased CRH → increased ACTH → increased cortisol
- Immediate decrease in blood glucose
- Suppression of sympathetic tone only
Correct Answer: Increased CRH → increased ACTH → increased cortisol
Q50. Which clinical sign would most likely indicate hypothalamic dysfunction affecting thermoregulation?
- Memory loss with normal temperature control
- Impaired temperature regulation with episodes of hyperthermia or hypothermia
- Isolated loss of hearing
- Pupil dilation without temperature change
Correct Answer: Impaired temperature regulation with episodes of hyperthermia or hypothermia
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