Osmoreceptors

Category

Interoception

Function

Plasma osmolality / thirst

Quantity

Specialized hypothalamic neurons

Density

Concentrated in OVLT / SFO / SON

Distribution

Anterior hypothalamus and circumventricular organs

Relative Deployment

Notes

Set thirst and vasopressin release. Sense effective osmolality of extracellular fluid.

Interacting Systems & Components

• Vasopressin Receptor (triggers release)
• Nervous System (hypothalamic signaling)