The term behavior control column refers to a chain of structures in the upper cerebrospinal trunk extending from the medial preoptic nucleus rostrally through the anterior hypothalamic nucleus, descending division of the paraventricular nucleus, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, premammillary nuclei, and mammillary body to the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. Functionally it is part of the subcortical motor system. "The rostral segment of this column is involved in controlling ingestive (eating and drinking) and social (defensive and reproductive) behaviors, whereas the caudal segment is involved in controlling general exploratory or foraging behaviors (with locomotor and orienting components) that are required for obtaining any particular goal object." ( Swanson-2000 ).