carotid gland

Main Entry: carotid body
Function: noun
: a small body of vascular tissue that adjoins the carotid sinus, functions as a chemoreceptor sensitive to change in the oxygencontent of blood, and mediates reflex changes in respiratory activity called also carotid gland, glomus caroticum

carotid body n.
A small epithelioid structure, located just above the bifurcation of the common carotid artery on each side that serves as a chemoreceptor organ responsive to lack of oxygen, excess of carbon dioxide, and increased concentration of hydrogen ions. Also called intercarotid body.

carotid body   A mass of tissue near the carotid sinus that contains chemical receptors sensitive to oxygen and pH levels in the blood and that is involved in the regulation of respiratory activity.