sexually dimorphic nucleus

a nucleus of the central nervous system that differs in size between males and females. In humans, for example, a nucleus in the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus that synthesizes gonadotropin-releasing hormone tends to be larger and more active in males than in females because gonadotropin release is continuous (it is cyclical in females). In songbirds whose males sing more than females, several brain nuclei associated with both song learning and song production are larger in males than in females.

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Psychology term of the day

December 26th 2024

thought insertion

a delusion in which the individual believes that thoughts have been irresistibly forced into his or her mind and ascribes these thoughts to outside sources.