a group of nuclei within the ventromedial hypothalamus that receives input from the amygdala and is associated particularly with eating and sexual behavior. The ventromedial nucleus traditionally has been referred to as the satiety center because of its presumed dominance over the cessation of eating (indeed, structural or functional damage results in excessive eating), but it is now known that other neural areas are involved in this function as well. See also ventromedial hypothalamic syndrome.