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[TA] carotid body: a small neurovascular structure lying in the bifurcation of the right and left carotid arteries, made up of richly innervated epithelioid glomus cells (type I) surrounded by type II cells. It functions as an arterial chemoreceptor (although which component is responsible is uncertain), with stimulation by hypoxia, hypercapnia, or elevated hydrogen ion concentration resulting in increases in blood pressure, cardiac rate, and respiratory movements. Another function may be as an endocrine gland.
Glomus caroticum (carotid body), located deep to the carotid bifurcation and innervated by a plexus of glossopharyngeal, vagal, and sympathetic components.
Medical dictionary. 2011.