Glomus body
Encyclopedia
- The glomus body is not to be confused with the glomus cellGlomus cellA glomus cell is a peripheral chemoreceptor, located in the carotid bodies and aortic bodies, that helps the body regulate breathing. When there is a decrease in the blood's pH, a decrease in oxygen , or an increase in carbon dioxide , the carotid bodies and the aortic bodies signal the medulla...
which is a kind of chemoreceptor found in the carotid bodiesCarotid bodyThe carotid body is a small cluster of chemoreceptors and supporting cells located near the fork of the carotid artery ....
and aortic bodiesAortic bodyIn the human heart, the aortic body is one of several small clusters of chemoreceptors, baroreceptors, and supporting cells located along the aortic arch.-Function:...
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A glomus body (or glomus apparatus) is a component of the dermis layer of the skin
Skin
-Dermis:The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. It also harbors many Mechanoreceptors that provide the sense of touch and heat...
, involved in body temperature regulation. The glomus body consists of an arterio-venous shunt surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Glomus bodies are most numerous in the fingers and toes. The role of the glomus body is to shunt blood away from the skin surface when exposed to cold temperature, thus preventing heat loss, and allowing maximum heat flow to the skin in warm weather to allow heat to dissipate. The glomus body has high sympathetic tone and blockade of sympathetic tone leads to near complete vasoconstriction.