carotid body

carotid body
carotid body n a small body of vascular tissue that adjoins the carotid sinus, functions as a chemoreceptor sensitive to change in the oxygen content of blood, and mediates reflex changes in respiratory activity called also carotid gland, glomus caroticum

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a small mass of tissue in the carotid sinus containing chemoreceptor that monitor levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen ions in the blood. If the oxygen level falls, the chemoreceptors send impulses to the cardiac and respiratory centres in the brain, which promote increases in heart and respiration rates. It can give rise to carotid body tumours, which are a form of paraganglioma.

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glomus caroticum.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Carotid body — Infobox Anatomy Name = PAGENAME Latin = glomus caroticum GraySubject = 277 GrayPage = 1281 Caption = Section of part of human glomus caroticum. Highly magnified. Numerous bloodvessels are seen in section among the gland cells. Caption2 = Diagram… …   Wikipedia

  • carotid body — a small mass of tissue in the carotid sinus containing chemoreceptors that monitor levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen ions in the blood. If the oxygen level falls, the chemoreceptors send impulses to the cardiac and respiratory… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • carotid body tumor — a chemodectoma of the carotid body; a benign, encapsulated, firm round mass at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery, with nests of large polyhedral cells in alveolar or organoid arrangement; usually asymptomatic, but sometimes causing… …   Medical dictionary

  • carotid body — noun Date: 1925 a small body of vascular tissue that adjoins the carotid sinus, functions as a chemoreceptor sensitive to change in the oxygen content of blood, and mediates reflex changes in respiratory activity …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • carotid body — Anat. a small mass of cells and nerve endings adjacent to the carotid sinus that, in response to chemical changes in the blood, adjusts the respiratory rate. Also called carotid gland. [1935 40] * * * …   Universalium

  • carotid body — noun a chemoreceptor located near the bifurcations of the carotid arteries; monitors oxygen content of the blood and helps control respiration • Hypernyms: ↑chemoreceptor …   Useful english dictionary

  • carotid body cell — Cells derived from the neural crest, involved in sensing pH and oxygen tension of the blood …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • carotid-artery stenosis — (carotid stenosis) narrowing of the carotid artery, which reduces the supply of blood to the brain and is a cause of strokes. Sometimes the condition is due to a tumour of the carotid body. Many cases can be treated by surgical excision or bypass …   Medical dictionary

  • carotid gland — n CAROTID BODY * * * glomus caroticum …   Medical dictionary

  • Carotid sinus — Infobox Anatomy Name = PAGENAME Latin = sinus caroticus GraySubject = GrayPage = Caption = Arteries of the neck. The carotid sinus is at the origin of the internal carotid artery. Caption2 = Precursor = System = Artery = Vein = Nerve = branch of… …   Wikipedia

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