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Carotid Body Location Bifurcation — FRCA Primary MCQ

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ModerateAnatomyCarotid Body Location BifurcationFRCA Primary

Regarding the anatomy of the neck the carotid body is located at:

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Correct answer: D — The origin of the internal carotid artery from the carotid bifurcation

The carotid body is a small chemoreceptor organ located at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery (posterior to the bifurcation between the internal and external carotid origins). It detects changes in PaO2 (primary stimulus when <8 kPa) / PaCO2 / and pH. Afferent: CN IX (sinus nerve of Hering). It has the highest blood flow per gram of tissue of any organ.

Reference: RCoA 2021 Primary FRCA Curriculum