Preoptic area

The preoptic area is a region of the hypothalamus. According to the Medical Subject Headings classification, it is considered part of the anterior hypothalamus. There are four nuclei in this region, according to Terminologia Anatomica.

The preoptic area is responsible for thermoregulation and receives nervous stimulation from thermoreceptors in the skin, mucous membranes, and hypothalamus itself.

This area propagates stimuli to either the heat-losing or the heat-promoting centers of the hypothalamus.