The hypothalamus is the major autonomic regulatory center. It’s main function is to regulate homeostasis through:

  • water balance
  • temperature
  • feeding

It receives sensory info (osmo, baro, visual receptors etc) from many autonomic afferent fibers such as the vagus nerve and glossopharingeal nerve. The information is collected and sorted and an endocrine response is elicited. The info is then sent to the amygdala and other structures of the limbic system where a behavior response is elicited.