title: Carotid baroreceptors are mainly localized in the medial portions of the proximal internal carotid artery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To visualize baroreceptors in the human carotid bifurcation by light microscopy. Baroreceptor location is investigated in order to provide recommendations for the extent of adventitial stripping in the treatment for carotid sinus syndrome (CSS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Human carotid specimens were transversely cut in 20 μm sections. After immunohistochemical staining using antibodies to vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2) and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), the presence of baroreceptor tissue was studied using light microscopic techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Visual assessment indicated that VGLUT2 and PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity was present in the adventitia of the carotid arteries and that nerve density was highest in the medial wall of the proximal first cm of the internal carotid artery (ICA).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Human carotid baroreceptors, as reflected in immunoreactivity for VGLUT2 and PGP 9.5, are mainly localized in the medial portions of the proximal ICA. If surgical carotid denervation is indicated in patients suffering from carotid sinus syndrome, adventitial stripping of the proximal portion of the ICA should be sufficient.
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands. r.j.toorop@umcutrecht.nl
authors: Raechel J
authors: RJ
authors: Toorop
authors: Rkia
authors: R
authors: Ousrout
authors: Marc R M
authors: MR
authors: Scheltinga
authors: Frans L
authors: FL
authors: Moll
authors: Ronald L A W
authors: RL
authors: Bleys
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011311:Pressoreceptors / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D050599:Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 2 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C493476:SLC17A6 protein, human; C482860:UCHL1 protein, human; D050599:Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 2; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase