Carotid Body

The carotid body is a small cluster of nerve cells located in the neck near the carotid artery. It plays an important role in regulating the body’s respiration and blood pressure by detecting changes in the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood. This information is sent to the brain, which is used to control the rate and depth of breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate. The carotid body also has a protective function, triggering a “gag” reflex when the airway is blocked which helps prevent choking. This is why carotid body reflexes are routinely assessed by healthcare professionals in certain situations, such as when a person needs to be placed on a ventilator or is undergoing general anesthesia.