The neck can be considered the "lifeline" of the human body. In addition to the cervical spine, trachea, esophagus, and various important nerves and blood vessels, there is also an important area on the neck called the carotid sinus, which you may have never heard of. In fact, the location of the carotid sinus is very obvious, and the danger of this disease is also very serious, mainly due to unstable blood pressure, which can lead to heart stoppage and ultimately death. Therefore, timely treatment is very important.
How to prevent carotid sinus
The enlarged part at the end of the common carotid artery and the beginning of the internal carotid artery is called the carotid sinus. The outer membrane of its sinus wall contains abundant free nerve endings, known as pressure receptors. The carotid sinus can regulate blood pressure. When the blood pressure of the human body rises, it can cause the sinus wall to expand, stimulating the pressure receptors, and through the regulation of the nervous system, reflexively causing a slow heartbeat and peripheral blood vessel dilation, resulting in a decrease in blood pressure.
In physiological processes, the regulation of the carotid sinus is relatively safe. However, improper neck massage, wearing tight turtlenecks, and other factors can stimulate this area and cause problems such as bradycardia, hypotension, dizziness, and fatigue.
Location of carotid sinus:
The carotid sinus is located on the outer side of the neck, equivalent to the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage and the most prominent position of the carotid artery in the neck. The specific method to determine it is: let the patient lie flat, slightly tilt the head back, and first find the carotid artery. It is located below the angle of the jaw, on the inner side of the thyroid cartilage, and outside the sternocleidomastoid muscle. After feeling the pulsation of the carotid artery, move the fingers to the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage, which is the bifurcation of the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery, which is the position of the carotid sinus.
The appropriate stimulation for the pressure receptor is the mechanical tension of the vessel wall. When arterial blood pressure rises and the arterial vessel wall expands to a certain extent, the sensory nerve endings are excited and release nerve impulses. Within a certain range (arterial blood pressure of 60-180 mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa), the frequency of pressure receptor's incoming impulses is directly proportional to the degree of arterial vessel wall expansion. That is, the higher the arterial blood pressure, the higher the degree of arterial vessel wall expansion, and the higher the frequency of incoming impulses from the pressure receptor. Therefore, from the nature of the receptor, it is a receptor that senses vascular wall distension.
The pressure pulse is more sensitive to changes than the pressure itself. The characteristics of blood pressure pulsation in the body and normal arteries are suitable. Pressure receptors play a role in the aortic arch, the main artery of the chest, and the carotid artery. When the blood pressure in the carotid sinus wall increases, it excites reflexively, causing a slowdown in heart rate, peripheral vasodilation, and a decrease in blood pressure.
How to prevent carotid sinus
1. Patients with carotid sinus should pay attention to sudden changes in body position and reduce local stimulation of the carotid sinus (such as sudden head movements, etc.) to prevent falls and injuries.
2. For carotid sinus patients who experience recurrent syncope, permanent implantation of an artificial pacemaker may be considered.
I believe everyone now understands the location of the carotid sinus. In fact, carotid sinus can also be prevented and treated. Of course, the first step is to choose a regular hospital and a professional doctor to ensure better treatment outcomes. For patients who frequently experience syncope, it is necessary to install an artificial pacemaker to prevent difficulty waking up after sleep.
The carotid sinus is located at the end of the common carotid artery and the beginning of the carotid artery in the neck. It is mainly located at the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage, and it is easy to find this location by pressing with litmus paper. For patients with carotid sinus, this area is more sensitive and easily affected by external stimuli, leading to insufficient blood supply and causing cerebral ischemia, dizziness, and other discomfort symptoms.
