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Title: Parallel trajectories in the discovery of the SCN‐OVLT and pituitary portal pathways: Legacies of Geoffrey Harris
A map of central nervous system organization based on vascular networks or angiomes1 provides a layer of organization distinct from familiar neural networks or connectomes. As a well-established example, the capillary networks of the pituitary portal system enable a route for small amounts of neurochemical signals to reach local targets by traveling along specialized pathways, thereby avoiding dilution in the systemic circulation. Anatomical studies provided the first evidence of this vascular pathway in the brain. Specifically, Popa and Fielding identified a portal pathway linking the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. Their anatomical work was based on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of the human brain. They also extensively discussed previous studies of this brain region. Based on the available literature and the appearance of India ink in the hypothalamus after it had been injected into the anterior pituitary, they vigorously argued that the direction of blood flow was from the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1749500
PAR ID:
10409082
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Journal of Neuroendocrinology
ISSN:
0953-8194
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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