Skip to main content

Circadian Pacemaker

Meaning

The master biological clock in the brain, scientifically identified as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, which synchronizes the body’s internal 24-hour rhythms. This central regulator dictates the precise timing of numerous physiological processes, including sleep-wake cycles, body temperature fluctuations, and the pulsatile secretion of nearly all endocrine hormones. Maintaining its integrity is vital for metabolic and hormonal homeostasis.