Osmoreceptor

osmoreceptor

[¦äz·mō·ri′sep·tər] (physiology) One of a group of structures in the hypothalamus which respond to changes in osmotic pressure of the blood by regulating the secretion of the neurohypophyseal antidiuretic hormone.

Osmoreceptor

a terminal structure of sensory nerves that reacts to changes, in the concentration of osmotically active substances, that is, to changes in osmotic pressure in the surrounding fluid. Osmoreceptors are found in various animal organs and tissues, such as the liver and pancreas. Impulses from osmoreceptors reach the divisions of the central nervous system that participate in the regulation of water-salt metabolism. Osmoreception is controlled by neurons of the supraoptic nuclei in the hypothalamus. These neurons can perceive fluctuations of as low as 1–2 percent in the osmotic pressure of plasma, and when the osmotic pressure increases, they elaborate the hormone vasopressin, which is stored in the hypophysis. Vasopressin, the antidiuretic hormone, alters the permeability of the walls of the renal tubules when it is released into the blood, thereby reducing the amount of urine excreted.

osmoreceptor

[oz″mo-re-sep´tor] 1. any of a group of specialized neurons of the supraoptic nuclei of the thalamus that are stimulated by increased extracellular fluid osmolality to cause the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) from the posterior pituitary.2. olfactory receptor.

os·mo·re·cep·tor

(oz'mō-rē-sep'tŏr, -tōr), 1. A receptor in the central nervous system (probably the hypothalamus) that responds to changes in the osmotic pressure of the blood. 2. A receptor that receives olfactory stimuli. Synonym(s): osmoceptor

os·mo·re·cep·tor

(oz'mō-rē-sep'tŏr) 1. A receptor in the central nervous system (probably the hypothalamus) that responds to changes in the osmotic pressure of the blood. 2. A receptor that receives olfactory stimuli. [G. osmos, impulsion]

osmoreceptor

any of the group of structures sited in the HYPOTHALAMUS that respond to changes in osmotic pressure of the blood by means of neurohypophyseal antidiuretic hormone.

osmoreceptor

Osmoreceptor

osmoreceptor

Osmoreceptor

osmoreceptor

osmoreceptor

os·mo·re·cep·tor

os·mo·re·cep·tor

osmoreceptor

osmoreceptor

Words related to osmoreceptor

noun sensory end organ that responds to changes in osmotic pressure

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