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Noun: carotid body  ku'ró-tid 'bó-dee
  1. A chemoreceptor located near the bifurcations of the carotid arteries; monitors oxygen content of the blood and helps control respiration
    "The carotid body plays a crucial role in regulating breathing during sleep"

Derived forms: carotid bodies

Type of: chemoreceptor

Encyclopedia: Carotid body