Where is the hypothalamus located relative to the pituitary gland and brainstem, and what are the effects of stimulating its two feeding-related centers?

• A. The hypothalamus lies just above the pituitary and anterior to the brainstem; stimulating the feeding center increases eating, stimulating the satiety center suppresses eating.
• B. The hypothalamus is lateral to the pituitary and superior to the frontal cortex; stimulation of either center causes increased water intake but no change in food intake.
• C. The hypothalamus is posterior to the brainstem and below the pituitary; feeding center stimulation reduces appetite while satiety center stimulation increases digestion speed but does not affect food intake.
• D. The hypothalamus surrounds the pituitary gland and is caudal to the brainstem; stimulation of the feeding center primarily triggers endocrine changes only, while satiety center stimulation initiates only somatic motor responses that prevent eating.

Answer: (A)