carotid-, caroti-, carotio-

A small enlargement sometimes found in the internal carotid plexus or a network of nerves of the sympathetic nervous system surrounding the internal carotid artery.

1. Any one of three nerve plexuses (network of intersecting nerve vessels) associated with the carotid arteries.
2. Any of the networks of sympathetic nerve fibers that connect the internal organs to the brain via spinal nerves, responds to stress by increasing heart rate and blood flow to the muscles, and decreasing blood flow to the skin surrounding the carotid arteries.

1. The rhythmic expansion and contraction of the carotid arteries when measured from the palpation (pulse beat or the regular movement of blood as the heart pumps) as felt in the carotid artery on either side of the neck.
2. The pulse of the carotid artery, palpated (pulse beating) by gently pressing a finger in the area between the larynx and the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the neck or the thick muscle on each side of the neck, the action of which assists in bending the head and neck forward and sideways.

The dense fibrous tissue enveloping the carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and vagus nerve on each side of the neck.

A dilation of the arterial wall at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery which contains sensory nerve endings from the glossopharyngeal (tongue and throat) nerve which respond to changes in blood pressure.

Caroti sinus stimulation by intermittent finger pressure, designed to enhance vagal tone and slow the heart rate or to terminate an arrythmia (abnormality in the rhythm of the heartbeat).

A neural mechanism in which an increase in blood pressure in the carotid artery at the level of its bifurcation results in a decrease in heart beat.

1. A temporary loss of consciousness which sometimes causes provoked convulsive seizures as a result of the intensity of the carotid sinus reflex when pressure increases in one or both carotid sinuses.
2. Intense hypotension (low blood pressure) and bradycardia (abnormally slow heartbeat) following carotid sinus stimulation, resulting in dizziness, fainting or convulsions, and occasionally other neurologic symptoms.

An abnormal narrowing of the carotid artery, often preceding a stroke.

Referring to, pertaining to, or near, the carotids or one of them; such as, the carotid gland.

1. A normal chemical reflex initiated by a decrease in oxygen concentration in the blood and, to a lesser degree, by increased carbon dioxide and hydrogen ion concentrations that act on chemoreceptors at the bifurcation of the common carotid arteries.

The resulting nerve impulses cause the respiratory center in the medulla to increase respiratory activity.

A benign round, firm growth which develops at the bifurcation (two branches) of the common carotid artery or either of the two arteries located in the front of the neck, through which blood from the heart goes to the brain: "A carotid-body tumor may cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting if it impedes, or hinders, the flow of blood and if pressure is increased in the vascular system, or the circulatory system that transports blood in the body and which is composed of the heart, arteries, capillaries, and the veins."

The two major arteries, one on each side of the neck, that carry blood to the head.

Pain caused by pressure on the carotid artery (key artery located in the front of the neck that carries blood from the heart to the brain): In his medical book, John found out that there were various causes for carotodynia including smoking, age, obesity, alcohol use, and diabetes.