osmoreceptor

(noun)

a sensory receptor primarily found in the hypothalamus of most homeothermic organisms that detects changes in osmotic pressure

Related Terms

Examples of osmoreceptor in the following topics:

  • Hormonal Regulation of the Excretory System

    • The water concentration of the body is monitored by osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus, which detect the concentration of electrolytes in the extracellular fluid.
    • An increase in blood electrolyte levels results in a neuronal signal being sent from the osmoreceptors in hypothalamic nuclei.
    • As blood osmolarity decreases, a negative feedback mechanism reduces osmoreceptor activity in the hypothalamus; ADH secretion is reduced.

  • Osmoregulation

    • Osmoreceptors are specialized cells in the brain that monitor the concentration of solutes in the blood.