glomus cell

1. any of the moderately large specific epithelioid cells (type I) of the carotid body (see glomus caroticum) containing abundant cytoplasm and membrane-bound, electron-dense granules and having a few dendritic processes; they are richly supplied with nerve endings and are surrounded by cells without cytoplasmic granules (type II). Called also glomerular c. 2. any of the modified smooth muscle cells with uniform nuclei, pale-staining cytoplasm, and indistinct margins that surround the arterial segment of a glomeriform arteriovenous anastomosis, which are richly innervated by fibers of the autonomic nervous system.