CIRCUMSINUS BRANCH - A CONVENIENT SOURCE OF BARORECEPTOR AND CHEMORECEPTOR ACTIVITY IN DOGS

We found a branch of the carotid sinus nerve in 44 of 48 dogs. We prop ose that this branch be referred to as the ''circumsinus'' branch of t he carotid sinus nerve. Both chemoreceptor and baroreceptor activity w ere detected in this branch during electrophysiological recording effo rts utilizing classic nerve recording techniques. Its convenient locat ion permits whole nerve or single unit recording without having to tra nsect, dissect, or even expose the carotid sinus nerve. Carotid barore ceptor and chemoreceptor activity can be monitored with most of the ca rotid bifurcation's neural pathways intact.