Vascular organ of lamina terminalis

The vascular organ of lamina terminalis (VOLT), organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), or supraoptic crest is a sensory organ, one of the circumventricular organs of the third ventricle within the lamina terminalis. It is covered with pia mater, and lined with ependyma. It overlies the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus, and is involved in the secretion of vasopressin. The VOLT monitors the presence of peptides and macromolecules in the bloodstream, and conveys the information to the hypothalamus.

It is one of the three sensory circumventricular organs of the brain. The other four are secretory.