Carotid sinus & body

Looks like

A small widening at the fork of the carotid artery with a pea-sized sensing body beside it.

What it does

Senses blood pressure and oxygen level to adjust heart rate and breathing.

Keeping it well

Pressing hard on the neck can drop heart rate and cause fainting, especially in older people; a tight collar or shaving can trigger it.

Related conditions

• Carotid artery stenosis
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Hypothermia & frostbite
• Kawasaki disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Orthostatic hypotension & POTS
• Peripheral artery disease
• Phaeochromocytoma & hyperaldosteronism
• Pre-eclampsia
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Sepsis
• Shock (circulatory failure)
• Takayasu arteritis
• Vasculitis (GCA & others)