Show Summary Details
Overview
osmoreceptor
Quick Reference
n. a group of cells in the hypothalamus that monitor blood concentration. Should this increase abnormally, as in dehydration, the osmoreceptors send nerve impulses to the hypothalamus, which then increases the rate of release of vasopressin from the posterior pituitary gland. Loss of water from the body in the urine is thus restricted until the blood concentration returns to normal.
From: osmoreceptor in Concise Medical Dictionary »
Subjects: Science and technology
