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thirst
A desire to drink.
Etiology:
- dehydration
Physiology:
- the area of the brain that regulates thirst is located in the anterior part of the hypothalamus
- the anterior hypothalamus is in close proximity to osmoreceptors which regulate the secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
- ADH secretion is one of the primary mechanisms by which sodium & osmolar homeostasis are regulated
- thirst is triggered by increases in plasma osmolality which stimulates ADH secretion
Clinical manifestations:
1) dry mouth
2) dry throat
Related
age-associated changes in thirst
dehydration
impaired thirst; hypothalamic adipsia
xerostomia (asialism, aptyalism, dry mouth, hyposalivation)
General
sign/symptom
References
- Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999
- Wikipedia: Adipsia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adipsia