10 Facts About Carotid sinus

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.

The carotid sinus is sensitive to pressure changes in the arterial blood at this level.

Carotid sinus is the reflex area of the carotid artery, consisting of baroreceptors which monitor blood pressure.

Carotid sinus contains numerous baroreceptors which function as a "sampling area" for many homeostatic mechanisms for maintaining blood pressure.

The carotid sinus baroreceptors are innervated by the carotid sinus nerve, which is a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve .

Carotid sinus often has atherosclerotic plaques because of disturbed hemodynamics .

Stimulation of baroreceptors at the carotid sinus can be used to treat resistant hypertension via activation of the baroreflex.

Carotid sinus reflex death is a potential etiology of sudden death in which manual stimulation of the carotid sinus allegedly causes strong glossopharyngeal nerve impulses leading to terminal cardiac arrest.

Stimulation of the carotid sinus via a slap or a strike, to induce loss of consciousness is a self-defense technique, and is often taught in martial arts such as karate.