Corpus: Carotid branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve
Synonym:carotid sinus nerve, Hering's nerve
1. Definition
The carotid branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve is a small nerve in the neck and supplies the carotid sinus.
2. Anatomy
The carotid branch originates at the inferior ganglion of the glossopharyngeal nerve and extends towards the carotid bifurcation, where it innervates the carotid sinus. The carotid sinus contains pressoreceptors responsible for measuring arterial blood pressure. The carotid branch transmits signals from the carotid sinus to the medulla oblongata via general visceroafferent fibres. They terminate in the inferior part of the solitary tract nucleus.