Carotid body
The carotid body is a small cluster of chemoreceptor cells and supporting sustentacular cells situated at bifurcation of each common carotid artery in its adventitia.
| Carotid body | |
|---|---|
Section of part of human carotid body. Highly magnified. Numerous blood vessels are seen in section among the cells. | |
Diagram showing the origins of the main branches of the carotid arteries. | |
| Details | |
| Nerve | branch of glossopharyngeal nerve to carotid sinus |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | glomus caroticum |
| MeSH | D002344 |
| TA98 | A12.2.04.007 |
| TA2 | 3886 |
| FMA | 50095 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The carotid body detects changes in the composition of arterial blood flowing through it, mainly the partial pressure of arterial oxygen, but also of carbon dioxide. It is also sensitive to changes in blood pH, and temperature.
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