Cited by 92Developmental Biology and Gene RegulationNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanismsNeuroendocrine regulation and behavior

The origins of the circumventricular organs

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Kiecker, Clemens·2018·Journal of Anatomy

Abstract

The circumventricular organs (CVOs) are specialised neuroepithelial structures found in the midline of the brain, grouped around the third and fourth ventricles. They mediate the communication between the brain and the periphery by performing sensory and secretory roles, facilitated by increased vascularisation and the absence of a blood‐brain barrier. Surprisingly little is known about the origins of the CVOs (both developmental and evolutionary), but their functional and organisational similarities raise the question of the extent of their relationship. Here, I review our current knowledge of the embryonic development of the seven major CVOs (area postrema, median eminence, neurohypophysis, organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, pineal organ, subcommissural organ, subfornical organ) in embryos of different vertebrate species. Although there are conspicuous similarities between subsets of CVOs, no unifying feature characteristic of their development has been identified. Cross‐species comparisons suggest that CVOs also display a high degree of evolutionary flexibility. Thus, the term ‘CVO’ is merely a functional definition, and features shared by multiple CVOs may be the result of homoplasy rather than ontogenetic or phylogenetic relationships.

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  • Circumventricular organs (CVOs) are specialized structures located around the third and fourth ventricles that mediate communications between brain, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

    “Circumventricular organs (CVOs) are specialized structures located around the third and fourth ventricles that mediate communications between brain, blood and cerebrospinal fluid74,75 (CSF).”

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  1. Cambronero F, Puelles L (2000) Rostrocaudal nuclear relationships in the avian medulla oblongata: a fate map with quail chick chimeras. J Comp Neurol 427, 522–545. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
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Authors
Kiecker, C.
Affiliations
King's College London (GB)
Corresponding author
Kiecker, Clemens
Venue
Journal of Anatomy
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2017-12-27
Volume
232
Issue
4
Pages
540-553
ISSN
  • 0021-8782 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-7580
OpenAlex
W2776408588
Cited by
92
References
175
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 3
FWCI
0.49
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Anatomy (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
Keywords
circumventricular organs, embryonic development, evolution, area postrema, median eminence, neurohypophysis, organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, pineal gland, subcommissural organ, subfornical organ, homoplasy, blood-brain barrier, neuroepithelium, vertebrate embryos
MeSH terms
Animals, Blood-Brain Barrier, Humans, Hypothalamus, Phylogeny, Pineal Gland, Pituitary Gland, Posterior, Subcommissural Organ, Subfornical Organ, Area Postrema, Circumventricular Organs

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