Carotid sinus | |
---|---|
Details | |
Artery | Carotid artery |
Nerve | Branch of glossopharyngeal nerve to carotid sinus |
Identifiers | |
Latin | sinus caroticus |
MeSH | D002346 |
TA98 | A12.2.04.008 A12.2.06.003 |
TA2 | 4367 |
FMA | 50094 |
Anatomical terminology |
In human anatomy, the carotid sinus is a dilated area at the base of the internal carotid artery just superior to the bifurcation of the internal carotid and external carotid at the level of the superior border of thyroid cartilage. The carotid sinus extends from the bifurcation to the "true" internal carotid artery.[1] The carotid sinus is sensitive to pressure changes in the arterial blood at this level. It is the major baroreception site in humans and most mammals.