<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy (edit on Wikidata) </Td> </Tr> <P> The hypothalamus (from Greek ὑπό, "under" and θάλαμος, thalamus) is a portion of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions . One of the most important functions of the hypothalamus is to link the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland (hypophysis). </P> <P> The hypothalamus is located below the thalamus and is part of the limbic system . In the terminology of neuroanatomy, it forms the ventral part of the diencephalon . All vertebrate brains contain a hypothalamus . In humans, it is the size of an almond . </P> <P> The hypothalamus is responsible for the regulation of certain metabolic processes and other activities of the autonomic nervous system . It synthesizes and secretes certain neurohormones, called releasing hormones or hypothalamic hormones, and these in turn stimulate or inhibit the secretion of pituitary hormones . The hypothalamus controls body temperature, hunger, important aspects of parenting and attachment behaviours, thirst, fatigue, sleep, and circadian rhythms . </P>

Describe the location and function of the hypothalamus