The rhombencephalic recess in the rat. A light and electron microscopic study.

The rhombencephalic recess, an ependymal organ, has been studied for the first time by light- and electron microscopy. It is situated mediosagitally on the floor of the rhomboid fossa at the level of the colliculus facialis. The recess and the superimposed tissue are built up by tanycytes, their apices being connected by tight junctions. HRP, injected into the c.s.f., does not penetrate into the intercellular clefts of the recess area. The recess area reveals a certain autonomy regarding its supply with arteries and capillaries. A blood-brain barrier exists, but shows slight leakage in circumscribed areas as a result of intense transendothelial vesicular transport. The organization of the recess area is compared with that of other ependymal organs, especially circumventricular organs.