Tanycytes and brain tumors

Abstract

Tanycytes are specialized form of ependymal cells chiefly found in the third ventricle (infundibular recess), and have processes extending into the hypothalamus. Histomorphologic and ultrastructural characteristics similar to tanycyte has been reported in several brain tumors, including tanycytic ependymoma, astroblastoma, chordoid glioma, pilomyxoid astrocytoma, and subependymoma. This article briefly reviews these brain tumors from the standpoint of tanycytic differentiation.