subfornical organ

sub·for·ni·cal or·gan (SFO),

the intercolumnar tubercle. One of the circumventricular organs., SFO has fenestrated capillaries and is outside the blood-brain barrier. It is thought to be a chemoreceptor zone involved in cardiovascular regulation.

Synonym(s): organum subfornicale [TA]

organ

a somewhat independent body part that performs a specific function or functions.

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organ of Corti

the organ lying against the basilar membrane in the cochlear duct, containing special sensory receptors for hearing, and consisting of neuroepithelial hair cells and several types of supporting cells.

effector organ

a muscle or gland that contracts or secretes, respectively, in direct response to nerve impulses.

enamel organ

see enamel organ.

female reproductive organ

paired ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina and vulva.

genital organ

see penis, vulva, etc.

Golgi tendon organ

see golgi tendon organ.

gustatory organ

taste bud.

gustus organ

see taste bud.

organ of Jacobson

see vomeronasal organ (below).

male reproductive organ

paired testes, gonadal duct systems (epididymis, ductus deferens), accessory glands, urethra, penis, prepuce and scrotum.

ocular organ

see eye.

olfactory organ

the organ of smell in the nasal mucosa consisting of specialized cells with a tuft of very fine processes protruding into the nasal cavity. Internally they communicate with the olfactory nerves which pass through the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone to synapse with cells in the glomeruli of the olfactory bulb of the brain.

reproductive o's

those concerned with reproduction. See also penis, vulva, etc.

sense o's, sensory o's

organs that receive stimuli that give rise to sensations, i.e. organs that translate certain forms of energy into nerve impulses which are perceived as special sensations.

solid organ

any organ which does not contain a cavity or lumen and which is not gaseous; that is an organ which consists of parenchyma and stroma, the latter often arranged as trabeculae or surrounding groups of parenchymatous cells to provide support, e.g. liver, kidney.

spiral organ

organ of Corti.

spiral organ of the inner ear

the cochlea.

subfornical organ

a small tubercle in the floor of the third ventricle.

target organ

the organ affected by a particular hormone.

tubular organ

an organ characterized by the presence of a lumen and four concentric tunics in its wall; centrifugally the layers are mucosal, submucosal, muscular and adventitia-serosal.

urinary organ's

see kidney, ureter, urethra, urinary bladder.

vascular organ of the lamina terminalis

in the wall of the third ventricle of the brain.

vestibulocochlear organ

the cochlear duct, semicircular canals, utricle and saccule that occupy the osseous labyrinth.

vestigial organ

an undeveloped organ that, in the embryo or in some remote ancestor, was well developed and functional.

vomeronasal organ

part of the olfactory sense system that consists of a pair of fleshy tubes found on the floor of the nasal cavity on either side of the nasal septum, supported by cartilage sleeve. Probably concerned with scenting and aftersmell of food.