Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
blood-brain barrier
A selective barrier that prevents most substances in blood from entering brain tissue.
Full Definition
The blood-brain barrier is a highly selective semipermeable membrane barrier that separates circulating blood from the brain and extracellular fluid in the central nervous system. Formed by tight junctions between endothelial cells in brain capillaries, it protects the brain from toxins while allowing essential nutrients to pass through. This barrier presents significant challenges for drug delivery to treat neurological conditions.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenate; commonly abbreviated as BBB in technical contexts.
In Context
- "The experimental drug failed to cross the blood-brain barrier effectively." — pharmaceutical study
- "Inflammation can compromise blood-brain barrier integrity, allowing harmful substances to enter." — pathology report
Don't confuse with
blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier