carotid body

Introduction

A small epitheliod structure located just above the bifurcation of the common carotid artery on both sides.

In the head & neck region, the carotid body is the largest of all paraganglia

Function

• it serves as a chemoreceptor organ, responsive to hypoxemia, hypercarbia, diminished arterial pH & temperature.

Structure

• it consists of granular (principal) cells & non-granular supporting cells, a sinusoidal vascular bed (carotid sinus) & a rich network of sensory fibers of the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX).

Pathology

• most common site of the non-chromafin paragangliomas (see carotid body tumor)

More general terms

• anatomic structure

Additional terms

• carotid body tumor
• carotid sinus; carotid bulb
• glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Component of

• carotid sinus; carotid bulb