Tanycyte and vascular patterns in the basal hypothalamus of Coturnix quail with reference to their possible neuroendocrine significance.

Abstract

A well developed system of ependymal glial cells with long basilar processes stretching to the surface of the brain (tanycytes, Horstmann, 1954) has been described in the basal hypothalamus of Coturnix quail. The tanycytes both in the median eminence and the ventro-lateral hypothalamus form a link between the third ventricle and the hypophysial circulation. The processes of the ventro-lateral tanycytes terminate in the region of the infundibular sulcus in apposition to a loose network of vessels which are continuous with the primary plexus of the hypophysial portal system.