supramammillary area (SuM)

The term supramammillary area refers to the location of a group of small, variously described nuclei defined by Nissl stain in the posterior hypothalamic region. It is located dorsal to the medial mammillary nucleus and lateral mammillary nucleus, ventral to the posterior hypothalamic area, and ventromedial to the lateral hypothalamic area ( Pan-2004) . It is not well defined in the human ( Crosby-1962; Saper-2004 ), but is more clearly identifiable in the macaque ( Jones-2005; Bleier-1984 ). It is most clearly defined in the rat ( Swanson-2004 ) and mouse ( Hof-2000 ), where it is also commonly referred to as the 'supramammillary nucleus'. In the rat and mouse it is divided into two parts: the medial part of the supramammillary nucleus and the lateral part of the supramammillary nucleus. Functionally it is part of the behavioral state system ( Swanson-2004 ).

Also known as: supramammillary nucleus, Nucleus supramammillaris, Nucleus supramamillaris hypothalami, supramammillary nucleus (Cajal), supramamillary nucleus, supramammillary area

NeuroNames ID: 417

All Names & Sources

Showing 10 synonym(s)

Language
Name
Source
English
supramamillary nucleus
English
supramammillary area
English
supramammillary nucleus
English
supramammillary nucleus
English
supramammillary nucleus
English
supramammillary nucleus (Cajal)
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 7 record(s)

Basis
Has Equivalent
Organism
Their Name
Source
Topology
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Nucleus supramammillaris
Topology
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supramammillary nucleus
Topology
Yes
Nucleus supramamillaris hypothalami
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Yes
supramammillary nucleus
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Yes
supramammillary area
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Yes
supramammillary nucleus
Topology
Yes
supramammillary nucleus (Cajal)
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.