| carotid body | A small cluster of chemoreceptive and supporting cells located near the bifurcation of the internal carotid artery. The carotid body, which is richly supplied with fenestrated capillaries, senses the pH, carbon dioxide, and oxygen concentrations in the blood and plays a crucial role in their homeostatic control. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| carotid body cell | <pathology> Cells derived from the neural crest, involved in sensing pH and oxygen tension of the blood. (18 Nov 1997) |
| carotid body tumour | An invariably benign, encapsulated, firm round mass at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery, with nests of large polyhedral cells in alveolar or organoid arrangement. It is usually asymptomatic but large masses may encroach upon the parapharyngeal space and produce dysphagia, pain, and cranial nerve palsies. (12 Dec 1998) |
| carotid bruit | <cardiology, clinical sign> A systolic murmur heard at the root of the neck (over a carotid artery) that is produced by turbulence from a blockage of blood flow in the vessel, can indicate carotid artery occlusive disease. See: stroke. (27 Sep 1997) |
| carotid bulb | <anatomy> A slight dilation in the carotid artery at its bifurcation into the external and internal carotid arteries, it contains baroreceptors (pressure sensors) that when stimulated, will cause a reflex slowing of the heart, vasodilation and a fall in blood pressure. (27 Sep 1997) |
| carotid canal | A passage through the petrous part of the temporal bone from its inferior surface upward, medially, and forward to the apex where it opens into the foramen lacerum. It transmits the internal carotid artery and plexuses of veins and autonomic nerves. Synonym: canalis caroticus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carotid-cavernous fistula | A fistulous communication, of spontaneous or traumatic origin, between the cavernous sinus and the traversing internal carotid artery; a pulsating unilateral exophthalmos and a detectable cranial bruit are common manifestations. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carotid-cavernous sinus fistula | <radiology> Aetiology: laceration of ICA within cavernous sinus; usually secondary to basal skull fractures or penetrating trauma, rupture of an intracavernous ICA aneurysm symptoms: chemosis, conjunctival oedema, bruit findings: focal or diffuse enlargement of cavernous sinus, edematous extraocular muscles, arterial enlargement (pulsating exophthalamus), dilation of superior ophthalmic, facial, and internal jugular veins, occasional sellar erosion/enlargement, enlargement of superior orbital fissure (chronic phase) (12 Dec 1998) |
| carotid doppler | <investigation> A noninvasive test which uses high-frequency sounds waves to determine extent of blood flow through the carotid arteries in the neck. Used in the evaluation of stoke and TIA symptoms. (08 Jan 1998) |
| carotid duct | A portion of the embryonic dorsal aorta between points of juncture with the third and fourth arch arteries; it disappears early in development. Synonym: carotid duct. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carotid duplex | <investigation> A noninvasive test which uses high-frequency sounds waves to determine extent of blood flow through the carotid arteries in the neck. Used in the evaluation of stoke and TIA symptoms. (08 Jan 1998) |
| carotid endarterectomy | <procedure, surgery> A surgical procedure which removes atherosclerotic plaque from the walls of the carotid arteries, reducing the risk of stroke or TIA. This procedure carries a high success rate, but also a small risk of stroke during or immediately after the procedure. Carotid endarterectomy has been proven to reduce the risk of major debilitating stroke and improve quality of life. (27 Sep 1997) |
| carotid foramen | The opening at each extremity of the carotid canal in the petrous portion of the temporal bone; the external carotid foramen is on the inferior surface of the pyramid; the internal is at the apex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carotid ganglion | A small ganglionic swelling on filaments from the internal carotid plexus, lying on the undersurface of the carotid artery in the cavernous sinus. Synonym: Bock's ganglion, Laumonier's ganglion. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carotid groove | The groove on the body of the sphenoid bone in which the internal carotid artery lies in its course through the cavernous sinus. Synonym: sulcus caroticus, carotid sulcus, cavernous groove. (05 Mar 2000) |