ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH)

The term ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus refers to a collection of cells located ventrally in the intermediate hypothalamic region. Demonstrated by Nissl stain, it is found in the humans, the macaque, the rat and the mouse. It is bounded ventromedially, medially and dorsally by the internuclear area of the periventricular region, which separates it from the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, the intermediate periventricular nucleus and the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus respectively. Laterally it is bounded for the most part by the lateral hypothalamic area. In some humans ( Saper-2004 ) and in the macaque ( Paxinos-2009a ) it is divided into two parts: the dorsomedial part of the ventromedial nucleus and the ventrolateral part of the ventromedial nucleus. In the rat ( Swanson-2004 ) and the mouse ( Dong-2004 ) it is divided into four parts. In addition to the dorsomedial and ventrolateral parts, an anterior part of the ventromedial nucleus and a central part of the ventromedial nucleus are distinguished. Functionally it is part of the behavior control column of the brainstem motor system ( Swanson-2004 ).

Also known as: tuberal nucleus (Ganser), ventromedial nucleus hypothalamus, ventromedial nucleus of hypothalamus, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, Nucleus hypothalamicus ventromedialis, Nucleus ventromedialis hypothalami, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus

NeuroNames ID: 398

All Names & Sources

Showing 18 synonym(s)

Language
Name
Source
English
tuberal nucleus (Ganser)
English
ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus
English
ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus
English
ventromedial nucleus hypothalamus
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ventromedial nucleus of hypothalamus
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ventromedial nucleus of hypothalamus
English
ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus
Species With The Structure
Equivalent By Human Macaque Rat Mouse
Topology Has The Structure Has The Structure Has The Structure Relevant Data Not Located

Showing 9 record(s)

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Has Equivalent
Organism
Their Name
Source
Topology
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Nucleus hypothalamicus ventromedialis
Topology
Yes
ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus
Topology
Yes
ventromedial nucleus of hypothalamus
Topology
Yes
Nucleus ventromedialis hypothalami
Topology
Yes
ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus
Topology
Yes
tuberal nucleus (Ganser)
Topology
Yes
ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus
Topology
Yes
ventromedial nucleus hypothalamus
Topology
Yes
ventromedial nucleus of hypothalamus
Models Where It Appears
Structural CNS Model - Macaque

Brain structures of the macaque are illustrated in BrainInfo’s NeuroMaps macaque brain atlas. Structures are grouped by proximity in a hierarchy corresponding to the central nervous system hierarchy of NeuroNames ( Bowden-1995 Martin-2000 ). Structures in the NeuroMaps atlas are based on the segmentation of an MRI of the brain of a 3-year old male rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). The atlas is most useful for targeting structures for implantating electrodes and chemtrodes. Updated 29 Oct 2025.

Functional CNS Model - Rat

The Functional CNS Model - Rat (FMrat) ( Swanson-2004) is one of three hierarchical models representing the internal organization of the central nervous system (CNS). The others are the Structural CNS Model - Human (SThmn) and the Functional CNS Model - Human (FMhmn). The FMrat model represents the basic organization of the mouse ( Hof-2000 AMBA-2024 ) and, presumably, other rodents. Functional CNS models differ from structural models in that structures are defined and named by connectivity rather than by proximity to other structures at the same level. Functional models are more useful for representing longitudinal components of are grouped based on information drawn from multiple neuroscientific disciplines. such as connections, neurochemical characteristics, and role in physiogical and behavioral processes. While the Functional Model was developed primarily for an atlas of the rat brain ( Swanson-2004 ), the hierarchical organization of structures is for the most part applicable to the human, macaque, mouse and other mammalian brains as well. Structures at lower levels of the Functional CNS hierarchy are largely the same as in the Classical and Developmental Models, i.e., they were originally identified by stains for gray matter (Nissl substance) and white matter (myelin). At the next higher level they are grouped into basic connectional and functional systems of the CNS, such as the subcortical sensory systems, the brainstem motor system and the behavioral state system. At the highest levels CNS structures are grouped on the basis of dissection and embryologic precursors into cerebrum ( cerebral cortex and cerebral nuclei ), cerebellum, and cerebrospinal trunk.