17) RECEPTORS IN THE CAROTID BODY

[Editor]

a) respond to increased Paco2 by increasing ventilation
b) respond to stagnant hypoxia
c) respond to haemorrhagic hypoxia
d) has the same blood flow (weight for weight) as the myocardium
e) do not respond to increasing pH by increasing ventilation

[Editor]

TTTFT

The carotid body contains the peripheral chemo receptors with central chemo receptors being located within the CNS beyond the blood brain barrier. It responds to a reduced pao2 causing an increase in the respiratory drive hence increasing minute ventilation. This occurs as a result of hypoxic hypoxia and stagnant hypoxia. It is however also involved in the increased minute ventilation that occurs with severe blood loss although the mechanism of action remains unclear. The response to an increasing pH (alkalosis) would be a reduction in the minute ventilation causes hypercarbia so the Henderson hasselback co2/hco3- balance remains the same.