para-aortic bodies

Small masses of chromaffin cells found near the sympathetic ganglia along the abdominal aorta. They serve as chemoreceptors responsive to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen ion concentration, and help to control respiration.

(12 Dec 1998)


Terms mentioned in text: small, masses, chromaffin cells, near, sympathetic, ganglia, abdominal aorta, serve, chemoreceptors, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, ion, concentration, help, control, respiration
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