carotid body

noun

, Anatomy.

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.

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.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of carotid body¹

First recorded in 1935–40

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Compare Meanings

How does carotid body compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

carotid body vs. carotid sinus

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Example Sentences

Simply pressing your eyeballs, it turns out, or massaging the carotid body, a tangle of nerves under your jaw, activates the vagus nerve and calms the nervous system.

From Nautilus

The probability is that, like the carotid body, it is sympathetic in origin.

From Project Gutenberg

It is probable, however, that this structure has nothing to do with the carotid body of Mammalia.

From Project Gutenberg

It resembles the carotid body in its microscopical structure, but is not so vascular.

From Project Gutenberg

carotid artery carotid sinus

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