Hypothalamic magnocellular nuclei with their large secretory neurons are unique and phylogenetically conserved brain structures involved in the continual regulation of important homeostatic and autonomous functions in vertebrate species. Both canonical and newly identified neuropeptides have a broad spectrum of physiological activity at the hypothalamic neuronal circuit level located within the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei. Magnocellular neurons express a variety of receptors for neuropeptides and neurotransmitters and therefore receive numerous excitatory and inhibitory inputs from important subcortical neural areas such as limbic and brainstem populations. These unique cells are also densely innervated by axons from other hypothalamic nuclei. The vast majority of neurochemical maps pertain to animal models, mainly the rodent hypothalamus, however accumulating preliminary anatomical structural studies have revealed the presence and distribution of several neuropeptides in the human magnocellular nuclei. This review presents a novel and comprehensive evidence based evaluation of neuropeptide expression in the human SON and PVN. Collectively this review aims to cast a new, medically oriented light on hypothalamic neuroanatomy and contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for neuropeptide-related physiology and the nature of possible neuroendocrinal interactions between local regulatory pathways.

下丘脑大细胞核及其大型分泌神经元是独特且系统发育保守的脑结构，参与脊椎动物物种重要稳态和自主功能的持续调节。经典和新发现的神经肽在位于视上 (SON) 和室旁 (PVN) 核内的下丘脑神经元回路水平上具有广泛的生理活性。大细胞神经元表达多种神经肽和神经递质受体，因此从重要的皮层下神经区域（如边缘和脑干群）接收大量兴奋性和抑制性输入。这些独特的细胞也受到来自其他下丘脑核的轴突的密集神经支配。绝大多数神经化学图谱与动物模型有关，主要是啮齿类动物的下丘脑，然而积累的初步解剖结构研究已经揭示了人类大细胞核中几种神经肽的存在和分布。本综述提出了一种新的、全面的基于证据的人类 SON 和 PVN 中神经肽表达的评估。总的来说，这篇综述旨在为下丘脑神经解剖学提供一种新的、以医学为导向的视角，并有助于更好地理解负责神经肽相关生理学的机制以及局部调节途径之间可能的神经内分泌相互作用的性质。本综述提出了一种新的、全面的基于证据的人类 SON 和 PVN 中神经肽表达的评估。总的来说，这篇综述旨在为下丘脑神经解剖学提供一种新的、以医学为导向的视角，并有助于更好地理解负责神经肽相关生理学的机制以及局部调节途径之间可能的神经内分泌相互作用的性质。本综述提出了一种新的、全面的基于证据的人类 SON 和 PVN 中神经肽表达的评估。总的来说，这篇综述旨在为下丘脑神经解剖学提供一种新的、以医学为导向的视角，并有助于更好地理解负责神经肽相关生理学的机制以及局部调节途径之间可能的神经内分泌相互作用的性质。