Final answer:
The hypothalamus controls hormone output in the body, acting as a thermostat to maintain homeostasis and regulating body temperature and various physiological processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure that controls hormone output is called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is located inferior and slightly anterior to the thalamus and is a key player in the endocrine system. It regulates many crucial bodily functions through its influence on the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus acts as the body's thermostat, ensuring homeostasis by maintaining appropriate levels of food and water intake, energy expenditure, and body temperature. It also influences circadian rhythms and is involved in memory and emotion as part of the limbic system.