The carotid body (CB) is an arterial chemoreceptor organ located in the carotid bifurcation and has a well-recognized role in cardiorespiratory regulation. The CB contains neurosecretory sensory cells (glomus cells), which release transmitters in response to hypoxia, hypercapnia, and acidemia to activate afferent sensory fibers terminating in the respiratory and autonomic brainstem centers. Knowledge of the physiology of the CB has progressed enormously in recent years. Herein we review advances concerning the organization and function of the cellular elements of the CB, with emphasis on the molecular mechanisms of acute oxygen sensing by glomus cells. We introduce the modern view of the CB as a multimodal integrated metabolic sensor and describe the properties of the CB stem cell niche, which support CB growth during acclimatization to chronic hypoxia. Finally, we discuss the increasing medical relevance of CB dysfunction and its potential impact on the mechanisms of disease.

中文翻译：

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颈动脉的生理学：从分子到疾病。

颈动脉体（CB）是位于颈动脉分叉处的动脉化学感受器器官，在心肺调节中具有公认的作用。CB包含神经分泌的感觉细胞（glomus细胞），可响应缺氧，高碳酸血症和酸血症释放释放递质，从而激活终止于呼吸和自主脑干中心的传入感觉纤维。近年来，对CB的生理知识有了巨大的进步。在这里，我们审查有关CB的细胞元件的组织和功能的进展，重点是球蛋白细胞对急性氧气的分子机制。我们介绍了CB作为多模式集成代谢传感器的现代观点，并描述了CB干细胞利基的特性，在适应慢性缺氧的过程中支持CB的生长。最后，我们讨论了CB功能障碍的医学相关性及其对疾病机理的潜在影响。