Aortic body

Aortic Body

The aortic body is a small cluster of chemosensitive cells that monitor the blood's oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. It is one of the body's peripheral chemoreceptors, along with the carotid bodies. The aortic body is located in the aortic arch, which is the main artery carrying blood away from the heart.

Structure

The aortic body is a small, oval-shaped structure located in the aortic arch. It is composed of chemosensitive cells known as glomus cells, which are responsible for detecting changes in the blood's oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. These cells are surrounded by a network of blood vessels, which allows them to continuously monitor the blood's composition.

Function

The primary function of the aortic body is to monitor the blood's oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. When these levels become abnormal, the aortic body sends signals to the medulla oblongata, a part of the brain that controls breathing. This results in adjustments to the rate and depth of breathing, helping to restore normal blood gas levels.

The aortic body also plays a role in the body's response to low blood pressure. When blood pressure drops, the aortic body sends signals to the brain, triggering a series of responses that help to raise blood pressure.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities in the aortic body can lead to a variety of health problems. For example, tumors of the aortic body, known as paragangliomas, can cause symptoms such as high blood pressure, headaches, and sweating. In addition, conditions that affect the body's ability to regulate blood gases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can impair the function of the aortic body.

See also

• Carotid body
• Chemosensors
• Peripheral chemoreceptors