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In the Industry Vocabulary Test
blood-brain barrier
A selective barrier that prevents most substances in the blood from entering the brain tissue.
Full Definition
The blood-brain barrier is a highly selective semipermeable membrane barrier that separates circulating blood from the brain and central nervous system. It consists of tightly joined endothelial cells that line the brain's capillaries and prevents most large molecules, pathogens, and toxins from entering brain tissue while allowing essential nutrients like glucose and oxygen to pass through. This barrier is crucial for protecting the brain but also complicates drug delivery in neurological treatments.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenate when used as a compound modifier. May be abbreviated as BBB in technical contexts.
In Context
- "The new therapeutic compound was designed with enhanced lipophilicity to cross the blood-brain barrier effectively." — Pharmaceutical research paper
- "Blood-brain barrier dysfunction has been implicated in the progression of Alzheimer's disease." — Clinical study
Also known as
BBB
cerebral barrier
Don't confuse with
cerebrospinal fluid barrier
blood-nerve barrier