Nomenclature and location of avian hypothalamic nuclei and associated circumventricular organs.

Nineteen nuclei and two areas within the avian hypothalamus were identified and located on specific corss-sectional planes of a stereotaxic atlas of the fowl. Latin terms applied to the nuclei and associated fiber tracts were compared among several authors and a suggested standardized nomenclature presented for hypothalamic structures. Nine circumventricular organs (CVOs) were also located throughout the prosencephalon, mesencephalon, and rhombencephalon of the chicken. A majority of the CVOs were found near nuclei.