The supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei synthesise the peptides vasopressin and oxytocin (Fig. 5.2). Smaller groups of neurones that synthesise these neurohypophysial hormones are clustered in the suprachiasmatic region in some, but not all, mammals. In the rostral (anterior) part of the supraoptic nucleus, oxytocin and vasopressin neurones are equally distributed, but in the caudal part, only oxytocin neurones are found. Additionally, both hormones are present in the rostral paraventricular nucleus. In the caudal region of the paraventricular nucleus, however, the neurones close to the third ventricle contain oxytocin, while those more laterally situated contain vasopressin.
See also:
ΓÇó Anatomy of the Tuberoinfundibular Neurone System
