Oxygen sensing by the carotid body: Past and present

Abstract

It is now well established that carotid bodies are sensory organs for monitoring arterial blood oxygen levels and trigger reflexes that are critical for maintaining homeostasis during hypoxemia. This review article provides a brief account of the early studies leading to the discovery of the carotid body as a sensory receptor and addresses current views of O2 sensing mechanism(s) in the carotid body and their physiological importance.