Arcuate nucleus

The arcuate nucleus (Latin Nucleus " core " Arcuate " bent "), even infundibular nucleus is a nucleus of the hypothalamus.

It lies in the tuber cinereum behind the median eminence at the bottom of the third Hirnventrikels and belongs to the small cell nuclei of the hypothalamus. The arcuate nucleus produces Releasing and Inhibiting Hormones.

Particularly important is that the core also in the regulation of appetite and growth. The appetite is inhibited αMSH ( α - Melatocyten - stimulating hormone) and CART ( Cocaine -and amphetamineregulated Transcript ) by the anorexigenic peptides in the arcuate nucleus exploiting dividend and by the orexigenic peptides NPY ( neuropeptide Y) and AgRP stimulated. These neuropeptides are released directly proportional to the level of leptin in the blood. Growth is influenced by the release of GHRH. The release of dopamine inhibits the secretion of prolactin and thus milk secretion.