Circumventricular organs (CNS)

Changed by Patrick J Rock, 8 Jun 2021

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

The circumventricular organs are neuroendocrine anatomical structures localised around the ventricles of the brain. They are characterised by a rich vasculature and fenestrated (permeable) capillaries. As such, with the exception of the subcomissural organ, they are also characterised by the absence of the blood-brain barrier.

Gross anatomy

Circumventricular organs can be classified either as sensitive or secretory. The former act as chemoreceptors, monitoring hormone levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood, and the latter allow secretion of hormones in the peripheral blood. 

Sensitive
Secretory
  • -<p>The <strong>circumventricular organs</strong> are neuroendocrine anatomical structures localised around the <a href="/articles/ventricular-system">ventricles</a> of the brain. They are characterised by a rich vasculature and fenestrated (permeable) capillaries. As such, with the exception of the subcomissural organ, they are also characterised by the absence of the <a href="/articles/blood-brain-barrier">blood-brain barrier</a>.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>Circumventricular organs can be classified either as sensitive or secretory. The former act as chemoreceptors, monitoring hormone levels in the <a href="/articles/cerebrospinal-fluid-1">cerebrospinal fluid</a> and blood, and the latter allow secretion of hormones in the peripheral blood. </p><h5>Sensitive</h5><ul>
  • +<p>The <strong>circumventricular organs</strong> are neuroendocrine anatomical structures localised around the <a href="/articles/ventricular-system">ventricles</a> of the brain. They are characterised by a rich vasculature and fenestrated (permeable) capillaries. As such, with the exception of the subcomissural organ, they are also characterised by the absence of the <a href="/articles/blood-brain-barrier-3">blood-brain barrier</a>.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>Circumventricular organs can be classified either as sensitive or secretory. The former act as chemoreceptors, monitoring hormone levels in the <a href="/articles/cerebrospinal-fluid-1">cerebrospinal fluid</a> and blood, and the latter allow secretion of hormones in the peripheral blood. </p><h5>Sensitive</h5><ul>
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  • -<a href="/articles/vascular-organ-of-the-lamina-terminalis">vascular organ of the lamina </a><a href="/articles/vascular-organ-of-the-lamina-terminalis">terminalis</a>
  • -</li>
  • +<li><a title="vascular organ of the lamina terminalis" href="/articles/vascular-organ-of-the-lamina-terminalis">vascular organ of the lamina terminalis</a></li>

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