carotid sinus

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. specialized nerve end organs producing a slight dilatation of the carotid artery where it branches into the external and internal carotid arteries, responding to changes in blood pressure by mediating changes in the heartbeat rate.

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carotid sinus Scientific  

1. A dilated region that is located at the point of bifurcation of the carotid artery and contains pressure receptors (called baroreceptors), which upon stimulation cause slowing of the heart rate, vasodilation, and a decrease in blood pressure.

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Etymology

Origin of carotid sinus

First recorded in 1940–45

Compare meaning

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

• carotid body vs. carotid sinus

Example Sentences

The internal carotid artery initially forms an expansion known as the carotid sinus, containing the carotid baroreceptors and chemoreceptors.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The internal carotid artery first forms the carotid sinus and then reaches the brain via the carotid canal and carotid foramen, emerging into the cranium via the foramen lacerum.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

An interoceptor is one that interprets stimuli from internal organs and tissues, such as the receptors that sense the increase in blood pressure in the aorta or carotid sinus.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013