baroreceptory
Baroreceptory, or baroreceptors, are mechanosensitive sensory receptors in the arterial system that detect changes in blood pressure by sensing stretch of the vessel wall. The principal sites are the carotid sinus at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery and the walls of the aortic arch. The carotid sinus receptors are innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX), while the aortic arch receptors are innervated by the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X). Central projections run to the nucleus tractus solitarius in the medulla oblongata, where afferent signals are integrated with other autonomic inputs.
When arterial pressure rises, baroreceptor firing increases due to greater stretch. This information is transmitted to
Over longer periods, baroreceptors can reset their baseline sensitivity in response to sustained blood pressure changes,
Clinically, baroreceptor function can be assessed via tests of baroreflex sensitivity; dysfunction may occur in autonomic