carotid sinus; carotid bulb

Function

• it contains baroreceptors which when stimulated cause vasodilation, slowing of the heart & a decline in blood pressure

Structure

• dilated area at the base of the internal carotid artery just superior to the bifurcation of the common carotid artery

Innervation

• largely via the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
• a minor component is from the vagus nerve (CN X)

Afferents

• from the carotid sinus synapse in the nucleus solitarius

Efferents

• extend to the nucleus ambiguous (parasympathetic nucleus) & to the rostral & caudal ventrolateral medulla (sympathetic nuclei).

More general terms

• baroreceptor
• cardiovascular system structure

Additional terms

• carotid body
• carotid sinus massage
• carotid sinus syndrome; carotid sinus hypersensitivity; carotid sinus syncope
• glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Component of

• common carotid artery

Components

• carotid body